Homeless Cats and Stray Pets Need Help to Survive Winter's Cold

For a pet owner, the worst time of the year to lose a pet is during the winter months. The odds of an inside pet surviving on its own outside is slim in the best of times and no matter how watchful we are, a dog or cat can escape and disappear in the blink of an eye. No matter where you live, you've likely seen a stray pet. Homeless (feral) cats are found in every city and rural areas across the country. Regardless of why a pet is living outside, they need our help to survive winter's cold and snow. The stray dog or cat you help may be a child's lost pet.

The reality for most lost pets in a world where we've become so accustomed to seeing cats and dogs wandering around loose; most stray pets simply aren't noticed when they cross our path. And no matter how hard rescuers try to help pets in need, we can't find and save them all.

I was feeding a small colony of feral cats during the winter quite a few years ago. It was an extremely cold Christmas Day and snow covered the ground. While I waited for the cats to eat, I stood away from them beside a dumpster. There was a rustling sound coming from inside it. Suddenly, up popped a skinny and scruffy looking cat. She had been digging through trash bags looking for food. It was obvious she had been someone's pet. She allowed me to pick her up out of the dumpster and snuggled into the warmth of my coat. There was no way she would survive on her own. I took her home with me that night and she's still here. It's sad when you find a cat or dog you know belonged to someone at one time because you never know if they became lost on their own, or if they were dumped by their owner. Too many times, it turns out they were cast aside.

Not everyone is willing or able to rescue a stray pet and not all pets are lost or need rescuing. Feral cats and house cats accustomed to being outside have a thick, well groomed winter coat that keeps them warm and as long as they are healthy and can find dry shelter, food and fresh water, they can survive. A stray dog or cat who needs help is thin and has a scruffy looking, unkempt coat. These pets may or may not allow you to rescue them, but if you do nothing, they likely won't make it through the winter. However, even a healthy stray animal can be in extreme danger with no shelter, food or water.

There are some simple things you can do if you want to help a pet survive, but can't take him inside for one reason or another. Hypothermia is a big concern for a stray pet who can't find enough food or adequate shelter that protects him from the cold and snow. You can build a small shelter, fix up a dog house or set aside an area in an outside building where a pet searching for a warm and dry place to get in out of the cold can stay. Straw is inexpensive and makes the best bedding. Fresh, unfrozen water and plenty of food is also needed. Dry food is best because it won't freeze. It doesn't take a lot of help from us to give a lost pet a chance to survive.

If you suspect a pet is lost, call your local rescue group, check places where pet owners advertise lost pets or try to rescue the pet yourself and take it to a local shelter. It could be worth your time if a reward has been offered. Take the pet inside, if possible, while you search for the owner. If you decide to rescue a lost dog or cat, check with your local police, animal shelter, veterinary offices or rescue organizations to make sure the pet you found hasn't been reported as missing. Pets are considered personal property and you could be charged with theft. Check for a microchip, tags, a tattoo or an ID with a phone number. Unfortunately, not all owners of a lost pet are looking for them or reported them missing and could care less if they're returned home.

If a lost cat or dog has any hope of making it through winter's harshness, they may need help from compassionate humans who can provide them with a warm and dry shelter, food and fresh water. Most stray pets have a worried owner somewhere praying for their safe return. It doesn't take much to help a lost dog or cat and the help you give can make all the difference in the world for a stray pet searching for home.

Hypothermia - Cold Weather Danger for Pets

What is the Difference Between a Feral Cat and a Stray Cat

Rescuing a Starved and Malnourished Dog With Fear Issues