With wind chills as low as 25 below zero in the next couple of days, local advocates for animals are worried about pets who are normally kept outdoors.
"I would plead with people to please bring your animals inside,” said Mark Plyter, director of the Humane Society of Wayne County. “The next couple of days, there are going to be life threatening wind chills; life threatening for people and animals."
If pet owners can’t provide adequate shelter, Plyter says his organization has enough space to take in six to eight dogs. The offer is open to residents of Wayne County whose dogs have had a rabies vaccination.
"We're passing no judgement,” Plyter explained. “We're not turning anybody away unless we get full, then we'll have to look at other options. But no judgement. We just want to make sure all the dogs are safe."
A similar offer is open to residents of Hamlin, Clarkson, and Parma.
Dave Maynard, director of the Hamlin Dog Shelter, says they'll provide care for all types of pets, even farm animals. Maynard said he, with the help of some good Samaritans, saved the life of a pig last week.
"The pig was put outside by the father of a young lady...it was a pet pig...and he put it outside Saturday night when it was so cold,” he said. “The girl called me up crying at one, two o'clock in the morning needing housing for a pig. We advertised on our Facebook page and within five minutes I had a transport from Henrietta to Hamlin for an 80 pound pig." The pig, named Ronnie, was taken to a Hamlin farm. Maynard said the farmer agreed to keep the pig.
The Humane Society of Greater Rochester is not housing pets due to cold weather, but the organization is urging anyone who sees a pet suffering in the extreme temperatures to call humane law enforcement investigators at 585-223-6500.
In Wayne County, any such reports should go to the sheriff's office at (315) 946-9711.
According to New York State Agriculture and Markets law, animals must be sheltered from inclement weather including extreme heat and cold in a structure that is insulated and has a waterproof roof. Violators can face a $50 to $100 fine for the first offense and a fine of $100 to $250 for each subsequent offense.
