Keeping Fido healthy during the winter

Low temperatures are expected to reach into the 30s this week and Animal Control Unit Supervisor Augie Gonzalez has several tips to keep your pets safe.

“Bring animals indoors if possible. If not, bring them into the garage. Protect them from condensation and always keep animals vaccinated,” said Gonzalez.

According to Gonzalez, if the animals are not vaccinated they could develop pneumonia or kennel cough.

During the winter months at the Porterville Animal Shelter, according to Gonzalez, the intake of animals decreases, and so far they haven’t seen any deaths due to freezing.

To prepare for the winter temperatures measures were taken at the Porterville and Lindsay locations back in September.

“We put tarps on the kennels and all the heaters are turned on. Most of the dogs have blankets and everything gets lifted off the ground,” said Gonzalez.

A barrier between the animals and the concrete is also added in the form of a plastic deck for the animals to lay on.

“They’re laying on something so they’re not directly in contact with the concrete,” said Gonzalez.

Another preparation included putting plastic on the kennels.

“I go ahead and put plastic over the top of the kennels to maintain some of the heat,” said Gonzalez.

Removal of the extras is, according to Gonzalez, up to Mother Nature.

“Once the weather feels comfortable and it starts to feel warm we’ll take the tarps out,” said Gonzalez.

Contact Emily Shapiro at 784-5000, ext. 1050, or on Twitter @ EmilyShapirogar.