FYI

Published 9:54 pm Monday, December 15, 2008

Bring pets indoors during cold weather

If it’s too cold for you to go outside, it’s too cold for your pet.

Winter’s chill affects animals, just as it affects people. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals offers the following tips:

@1. Body FYI Bullet:Keep your cat inside. Felines left outdoors can freeze or become lost, injured or killed.

Never let your dog off a leash on snow or ice. Dogs can get lost when they lose their own scent, which would lead them back home. Make sure your dog wears ID tags.

Thoroughly wipe off your dog’s legs and stomach when it comes inside. Dogs can ingest salt, antifreeze or other dangerous chemicals while licking paws. Paw pads may also bleed from encrusted snow or ice.

Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. If you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to dry him or her completely before going out for a walk. For short-haired breeds, consider a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly.

Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the pet to freeze to death.

Puppies don’t tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. You may opt to paper-train them inside. For dogs that are sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take them outside only to relieve themselves.

Ensure your pet always has a warm place to sleep away from drafts and off the floor. A thick cozy dog or cat bed with a blanket or pillow is great.

Friends of Granite Falls library meet

Friends of the Granite Falls meets at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the library, 815 E. Galena St.

The Friends of the Granite Falls Library is a group that conducts book sales and other activities to raise funds for programs at the library. The group welcomes new volunteers.

Mountlake Terrace plans art center

The city of Mountlake Terrace is working to develop its first arts and cultural plan.

The city is creating focus groups to gather input.

For more information, call Julie Codd at 425- 640-3105 or parks director Don Sarcletti at 425-640-3104.

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