Protect Your Texas Pet From Dangerous Freezing Temperatures

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• Below-freezing temperatures are coming to Texas over the next few days.
• The best thing you can do for your pet is to keep them inside with you.
• Paws can freeze just like your hands and feet.

After many Texas pets were left out in the cold to die and left chained in their yards, the Texas Humane Legislation Network worked to get the Safe Outdoor Dogs Act passed.

The law went into effect two years ago and it is now law that you have to protect your dog from extreme temperatures. Now Texans must provide adequate shelter, drinking water, and safe restraints.

The law also removed the 24-hour waiting period for animal control to move in and take action if there is a violation. Many Texas towns and cities went further and made more strict, anti-tethering laws that are enforced locally.

Bring Your Pets Inside In Any Freezing Weather To Avoid Fines In Texas 

If the mercury drops below 32 degrees many breeds of dogs need to be inside. There are always exceptions like Siberian Huskies that thrive in the cold.

There are lots of different variables to consider if you are wondering if it is too cold for your pet outside.

• Coat thickness
• Coat color
• Size
• Weight
• Conditioning
• Age
• Health
• Wind chill
• Dampness
• Cloud cover
• Activity

Leaving your dogs outside unsupervised in freezing temperatures is inhumane. If someone calls local Animal Control officials on you, the punishment could be as much as a $2,000 fine.

Limit outside time to short walks and bathroom breaks while temperatures dip into the teens over the next week in Texas.