While heavy snowfall has caused travel chaos across most of the UK, dogs at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home are making the most of Britain’s blizzard.
Many of the 450 dogs at Battersea have had their first taste of snow today, such as six month old Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross Hudson, who arrived at the Home as his owners could no longer care for him. Like Hudson, many of the dogs being walked this weekend will be wrapped up in handmade knitted pullovers sent in by the charity’s supporters to help keep them warm.
Akita cross Harvey is another one of Battersea’s canine residents who is enjoying the snow. However, unlike Hudson, Harvey has a thick fur coat to keep him warm. Akitas originate from the mountainous northern regions of Japan and Harvey is definitely feeling at home in today’s weather conditions.
Battersea has been caring for dogs and cats for over 151 years and takes in around 9,000 animals a year. The charity is working hard to keep all of its dogs and cats warm in the big freeze by ensuring lots of warm blankets in kennels. The smallest dogs are given the warmest kennels and dogs who are recovering in the clinic have special heaters to keep them warm. Battersea cats have heated beds to curl up on in the cattery and the charity’s volunteers are spending time with the animals keeping them active or cuddling them.
Battersea is reminding people to take extra care of their pets during the cold weather and offers the following advice:
· If your dog has a fine coat, for example a Greyhound or Staffordshire Bull Terrier, put a dog coat on them when you take them out to help keep them warm.
· Salt and grit from roads and pavements can get in-between your dog’s paws so at the end of a walk, make sure you clean their paws.
· Even though you might love the snow, it can be a new and strange thing for your dog so make sure you take it slowly with them if they are not used to it.
· If your dog gets wet and muddy out on a walk, make sure you dry it off when you get home.
· If you can’t take your dog out for a walk or it doesn’t want to go out in the snow, make sure you provide it with plenty of stimulating games to play indoors.
· In snowy conditions visibility can be reduced, so make sure your dog has good recall as it won’t be as easy to see where it is.
Carlton Spears, Battersea Operations Manager says: “Some dogs love playing in the snow but not all of our four-legged friends enjoy it. Here at Battersea we take extra care when taking our dogs out and about and it’s important to be extra vigilant with your pets this time of year as like us, they can feel the chill.”