As Central Iowa braces for extreme weather this week, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) is prepared to help pets and pet owners stay safe during these low temperatures and high winds.
- Homeless Persons With Pets: Anyone with pets who needs to seek refuge at a homeless shelter during the extreme temps should bring their pets with them to the homeless shelter and officials there will contact the ARL for temporary care of their pets through the ARL’s Crisis Foster program. The ARL will provide care for these animals through Friday at no charge to the pet owner.
- Outdoor Pets: The ARL strongly recommends that outdoor pets be brought indoors in a house or garage during these extreme temps. Polk County residents who see a pet in distress should call the non-emergency police dispatch # for their area. In Des Moines, that # is 283-4811. During extreme temperatures, these calls will be considered priority calls. Dogs must have access to adequate shelter (properly insulated), food, water (not frozen), and veterinary care, but in extreme temps, additional accommodations may be necessary to prevent a pet from being in distress. The ARL provides straw insulation and dog houses to outdoor dogs at no cost to their owner.
- Helping Community Cats: While community cats are used to living outdoors, these extreme temperatures can be hard on them as well. Learn how you can help community cats here: https://www.arl-iowa.org/news/pet-tips-/keep-feral-cats-warm-in-the-winter/
- Keeping Owned Pets Warm & Safe: Even indoor pets are at-risk during extreme weather. Learn more about keeping your pets warm & safe here: https://www.arl-iowa.org/news/pet-tips-/its-cold-tips-for-keeping-your-pets-warm-and-safe/
