January is 'Unchain a Dog Month,' and PETA is encouraging people to allow their best friends inside, where they are safest and happiest. Cold weather means extra hardship for 'backyard' dogs. Dogs suffer from frostbite, exposure, and dehydration when water sources freeze. Chained or penned dogs often have nowhere to go to escape the cold and snow.

All dogs need nutritious food, fresh water, and sturdy roofs over their heads. But what they really crave is love, attention, and companionship from their human families, their pack. Scratches behind the ears, games of fetch, and walks around the block mean the world to them. Curling up next to you is their idea of heaven.

If you know someone with an outside dog, offer to play with the dog and take him or her for walks. Bring treats and toys—they mean so much to a dog who has little else to do. Make sure that he or she has adequate food, water, and shelter — all of which are required by law — and report any neglect to authorities.

Allow animals inside, particularly puppies and kittens, elderly animals, small animals, and dogs with short hair, such as pointers, beagles, Rottweilers, pit bulls, and Dobermans. When they do go outside, short-haired animals will benefit from a cozy sweater or coat.

Provide dogs who spend time outside with proper shelter. Ideally, doghouses should be made of wood (plastic doesn’t insulate as well, and metal conducts cold) and should be positioned in a sunny location during cold weather. Raise the house off the ground several inches, and put a flap over the door to keep out cold drafts. Use straw for bedding; rugs and blankets can get wet and freeze.

Make sure that dog tethers are untangled and away from trees and objects that would prevent the animal from getting into a doghouse.

Don’t allow your cat or dog to roam freely unsupervised outdoors. During winter, cats sometimes climb under the hoods of cars to be near warm engines and are badly injured or killed when the car is started. (To help prevent this, bang loudly on the hood of your car before starting the engine.) Animals are also attracted to deadly antifreeze and can become disoriented when there is snow or ice on the ground. More animals are lost during the winter than during any other season.

Increase animals’ food rations during winter (they are burning more calories to keep warm). Also, be sure that animals are free of internal parasites, which can rob them of vital nutrients.

Your call could mean the difference between life and death for a defenceless animal left outside in the cold.

More information HERE and below.

http://www.helpinganimals...ether.html

http://www.helpinganimals...ained.html

http://www.helpinganimals...kyard.html

i couldn't bear to leave my dog outside
i feel bad making him sit on the rug until he dries if hes been bouncing in the mud.

Oh God, I thought this meant unchain them and let them loose in the neighbourhood! Some lawyers would be all over that.

CinisterCee said:

The bible says that one of the signs of the Apocalypse is
when the lawyers of the world ask,
"Who let the dogs out!?"
"Who who who who?"

I don't have a dog, so should I go and find one and chain it up so that I can unchain it?

Fauxie said:

Illustrator said:

if/when i have pets they are stayin indoors with me!
we'll go on outdoor excursions but i couldn't go 2 bed everynight thinking Ruff is sitting outside cold and lonely

all my pets come inside

Mach said:

my dog too. he's pampered beyond belief

IstenSzek said:

OMG Lars he's adorable

Natisse said:

he is! he's my best friend too (sounds kinda pathetic lol)

IstenSzek said:

NOT pathetic at all!! that ROCKS!

Natisse said:

he's trying to trick me into taking him for an extra walk right now

i think i'm going to give in again

IstenSzek said:

go for it

IstenSzek said:

You mean he's FAT!

anyone who chains a dog should be chained and left outside with it

HamsterHuey said:

he's not fat, you dog bully

he's just a very big dog for his breed. plus he's curled up
in the pic which makes him look fat while he is not so.

oh and ehm, yes, he is a tiny bit overweight

IstenSzek said:

He's got big bones.

no no NO. Chain those bitches up PLEASE. Cuz the next stray that chases me is getting a mouth full of fucking mase. People get on my nerves. Lettin their dogs roam free and shit. Especially those rottweiler and pitt bull mufuckers. Chain your bitches up. Thank You.
THis has been a GSK PSA.

It's a good campaign. I always feel sad that some dogs are chained up outside.

DynamicSavior said:

i don't think letting them roam the neighborhoods is what the article is suggesting. but i agree, your dog should be supervised and/or leashed when outside - for their safety and for everybody else's.

My Dog is everymuch a bit of my family as any other human in it. I never did understand why some people get a dog to neglect them. I see chainning your dog out in a yard alone as neglect. Some don't see it that way. I find myself worring that I showed my dog enough attention to make him feel loved each day.

Thankfully it's illegal to keep a dog (or any other animal) chained in Sweden but that doesn't keep people from keeping them outside in little enclosures that are little better than cells, with crude shelter at best. These are people who don't think of their dogs as pets, they're tools for hunting. My dog is very seldom on a leash cos I live where she can be off it a lot, but when people pass me on the path I will have her heel so the people don't think she might bother them.

HamsterHuey said:

Illustrator said:

you keep stealing my jokes!