When it’s this cold outside, animals need your care no matter where you live.  Bedding, water and shelter from the wind are critical.

Vance County Chief Animal Control Officer, Frankie Nobles, told WIZS, “The key thing is keeping shavings in the dog houses or blankets.  One thing about blankets is blankets get wet, then they do get cold, so make sure you change them our regularly if you’re going to have a blanket.  Make sure you keep fresh water to the animals.  This time of year, of course, it’s going to freeze.  Get that ice out and get them some fresh water.”

Nobles said stray animals that are out all the time tend to be “street smart” in that they know where to find shelter.  Domestic animals are dependent on their owners.  He said, “The wind is the biggest thing that hurts them.  If that wind is blowing, if they can get somewhere where they can keep it blocked off, they can pretty well survive, but that wind really gets them.”

Animals at the Vance County Animal Shelter need supplies and care too, and despite the shelter being a new and warm facility, it is full of dogs at this time.  Nobles said, “Well, right now we are at capacity with the dog situation pretty much — big dogs, adult dogs you know.   What people don’t realize or understand is we have somebody on call 24 hours a day 365 days a year so animals are constantly coming into that shelter no matter if the doors are closed to the public, they’re still coming in.  But, this time of year, the community always supports us and we always get donations, so the community is real good about standing behind us this time of year.”

Nobles appeared on WIZS TownTalk on Thursday, Dec 28, 2017 from 11 a.m. until 11:25 a.m., and the full show can be heard by clicking here.  He praised the community, individuals and larger organizations here in this area for fantastic support.