AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) – As temperatures drop, conditions continue to become dangerous for stray dogs and cats on the streets.
The SPCA Albrecht Center in Aiken wants to help as many animals as possible.
There are currently at least 99 cats and 100 dogs at the shelter. On Friday, they picked up seven dogs that had been returned and left out in the cold.
But that doesn't stop them from trying to house the animals, or at least get them out of the cold weather.
Jade Garrett, who works at the Albrecht Center, said: “We're seeing an uptick and an increase in intake simply because a lot of people don't want to be out in the cold and see animals all night.”
With temperatures dropping into the teens, leaving your pet outside can be deadly.
“Many people experience things like frostbite. Or if you go outside and it's really cold and then you go inside and warm up, you can experience numbness and various other medical symptoms in your feet, etc. It can happen… Animals go through a lot of the same things,” Garrett said.
If you see an animal in need of help, we encourage you to call your local shelter.
“We get a lot of calls about dogs being outside. Stray dogs are usually neighborhood dogs, but it's too cold to go outside. Or they're usually neighborhood cats, but it's too cold to be outside. Even cats,” Garrett said.
And there are laws about leaving animals outside in the cold.
“You need a certain width to be able to move back and forth, rather than just being tied to a pole or a stationary object. You also can't be outdoors, probably in an environment below 30 or 40 degrees. ,” Garrett said.
Overcrowding has been going on for at least a year, but that hasn't stopped them from rescuing as many animals as possible during this harsh winter weather.
“If you see a kitten in a box or a mother caring for a kitten, please ask for help. We will also bring in puppies. We are always available for stray cats,” Garrett said. To tell.
The SPCA Aiken Albrecht Center is always looking for people to foster, adopt, or volunteer.
If you'd like to show your support in other ways, we have a variety of upcoming events planned.
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