Cold Weather And Pets

Winter weather is on its way, and many in kennels and shelters, they're at least staying warm.

"A lot of people still look a animals as being--'they still got fur, they'll be fine outside', but that's not true any longer," says Daid Hutton.

Hutton is with the Humane Education Society, and says animals have been domesticated so much, many just don't know how to handle the cold weather.

And crews are working to make sure that pets are staying warm, bringing blankets to their cages and making sure they're fed.

Hutton says, "I would say we're bringing in 4 or 5 a day." He adds that number increases during the winter months.

Many pets that come here to the Humane Educational Society are strays. But recently, they've also been victims of foreclosed homes.

"With the economy the way it is," says Hutton, "there's a lot of foreclosures. You know the shelters are here. You should never leave and abandon them. You see a lot of that and it's sad and unfortunate for the animals."

But even for those who can afford pets, Hutton says caring for them, and keeping them warm is key.

"What people have to understand is that there's not a law that says you have to have a dog house, but you have to have proper shelter. And just because it's tied to a front porch is not proper shelter," says Hutton.