It’s a terrible sight to see: A dog, cat or other animal left outdoors in extreme temperatures for prolonged lengths of time — or permanently without relief. It can be in hot or cold weather, storms or other bad weather. Many people obtain animals as pets, only to leave them tethered to a chain or cage outdoors, without a care to their well being during severe temperatures. It’s often assumed that animals can “fend for themselves” and are “fine” left out like this, but it is not the case.
Thanks to a flurry of laws throughout the country, leaving an animal outdoors in extreme weather, keeping it in a hot car, and other related issues are becoming a criminal offense with penalty. The latest law to emphasis on this is in Illinois, but there have been many other states as well to do the same.
As a community of people who love pets and animals, and want better care for pets everywhere, we couldn’t be more happy to see these laws go into effect. Not only does it protect animals, it empowers those who rescue them from those situations.
If you see a dog, cat or other animal left outdoors in extreme weather near your home or in your community, contact local authorities, police, or a rescue organization. Never assume that the animal will be okay. Not only is it a form of animal cruelty (and now a crime in many states!), animals can suffer from frostbite, heat exhaustion and other issues just as people can.
