HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) -As the Shenandoah Valley endures another round of bitter temperatures and snow, the Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA is seeing an influx of dog intakes.
In the past three weeks, they’ve received around 60 dogs. The shelter had lined up more foster homes in preparation for the intakes, because they often see an influx of dogs when it snows.
”There are more reports of outdoor dogs being reported to animal control and people finding stray dogs outside, which we’re grateful for,” RHSPCA Executive Director Huck Nawaz said, “It’s something that happens every time there’s snow on the ground.”
Freezing temperatures can be deadly for dogs. In the state of Virginia, it is illegal to leave dogs tethered or chained outside in temperatures of 32 degrees or lower.
Nawaz recommends owners keep their walks brief, to avoid exposing their dogs to cold, especially when their paws are directly on snow or icy surfaces.
-“The snow, the ice, it’s all cold, so people have salt down on sidewalks,” Nawaz said. “Make sure you wipe your dog’s paws off with a damp cloth or rinse them off, because it may not be pet safe.”
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