If you are an animal lover, you are probably concerned about the street dogs now especially with winter approaching and temperature going down every day. It is a sad sight to see a street dog shivering in the cold.
Every year hundreds of dogs die in the cold wave every winter. Apart from contributing to dog donation drives and charity, you should also be responsible and kind to save the dogs from cold.
All it takes is some time and effort to make the winters tolerable for the street dogs. If you are wondering what you can do to protect the street dogs this winter this is the right place to be.
The following are the list of things you can do this winter:
Table of Contents
5 Tips to Protect Street Dogs from Winter
Buy Sweaters or Blankets for the Dogs in the Streets
Spread old blankets at home outside the gate to keep street dogs from your area warm. Spreading warm blankets in the place they sleep can keep them warm as nights get colder.
In case you do not have old blankets you can buy the winter clothing for the dogs at a cheaper price. You can also donate old dog sweaters or chip in to buy a dog sweater. Blankets and sweaters cost from Rs. 200 and go up to Rs. 600 depending upon the quality.
Build a Temporary Shelter
If there are many like-minded people who want to help stray animals you can work together to make shelters. You can make a temporary shelter using cardboard boxes, bricks, and bags.
If you find puppies you can leave a carton box where they can stay protected during the winters. This can save newborn puppies from the cold wave. You can also chip in as a group to arrange a carpenter to build sheds in your locality. Building 2- 3 sheds can accommodate dogs from the area during winters.
Feed The Dogs in Your Street
Give them food that will produce body heat, by doing so it will keep them warm in the winters. Food like chicken, ghee, eggs provide the dogs with the energy to cope with the extreme weather. If you are already feeding dogs in your locality, make sure you add these to their diet whenever possible.
Due to the weather, it may seem like dogs do not drink water. Although they might need less water than in the summer, ensure that their water bowl is always filled. Dehydration in dogs can be life-threatening if not treated immediately.
Double Check Before You Start the Engine
A lot of dogs and cats take shelter under cars during winters to stay warm. If you are starting your car, make sure you check there are no dogs or cats under the vehicle. There might be cats and kittens sleeping on the tires.
One way to ensure that there are no animals under your vehicle is to bang it. Bang the car before you start it. This will alert the dogs that are sleeping under your car. This will avoid any accidents or mishappenings.
Donate
If you are unable to help the street animals directly, you can contribute to organizations that do. There are many dog donation drives and charities that work to make the lives of street dogs better.
You can look for local NGOs in your area who work for this cause and know more about how to contribute. You can also volunteer for the cause in your free time.
With adoption drives and raising money, they make sure that the voiceless are protected and are safe. You can donate a sum to these organizations and they will ensure that the money is used efficiently and for the right cause.
Provide Shelter
You can keep your gates open for dogs to take shelter in the night. If you are living in an individual house but are unable to foster a dog, you can keep the gates open so that dogs can stay in your corridor.
Doing this will keep them warm at night. You can spread an old blanket or even a sack bag for them to stay warm in the cold nights. Make sure you leave a water bowl as well for the dogs in your front yard.
Adopt
If you are responsible to take up the commitment, you should consider adopting. There are a lot of street dogs that deserve a loving home.
If you are looking to bring a pet home, consider adopting a dog. You can also visit a local NGO and bring a loving dog home to give it a second chance in life.
