“As the harsh winter months settle in, it is important that you think about keeping your pets safe from all of the dangers that the season can present,” states Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Director Kurt Schwartz in a statement. 

MEMA has also provided some tips to help keep your pet safe and warm during the winter.

·         Do not leave your pet outdoors when temperatures drop below freezing. Dogs need outdoor exercise, but take care not to keep them outdoors for lengthy periods of time during very cold weather.  Pets that are mostly indoors need time to adapt to cold temperatures by building up a thicker coat and toughening their footpads for ice and snow. Short-coated dogs may feel more comfortable wearing a sweater during walks.  Dogs and cats are safer indoors during all sorts of extreme weather.

Ten puppies were recently rescued by Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA Investigators.  SPCA investigators say the puppies had been given a lethal dose of ivermectin, which is a wormer that is commonly used on horses.  The SPCA says all of the puppies found were emaciated, dehydrated, infested with internal parasites, and covered with fleas. Eight of them were treated and released at Chatham’s Small Animal Hospital, and two were held in critical condition. All ten puppies are expected to make a full recovery, including regaining their sight, and will be put up for adoption once medically released, say investigators.

The owner of the puppies, 58 year-old Ann Fullam-Goeke was subsequently charged with 12 counts of animal cruelty, specifically for failure to provide proper sustenance. Investigators say when they searched her house last week one puppy was found dead, and another had to be euthanized.