The arctic cold expected to start Friday night is dangerous for pets if left outside too long.
Since Jan. 1, at least five dogs were abandoned outside and were deceased when they were discovered.
In Manchester, two pitbulls were discovered huddled together on January 8. An emaciated dog was found on a walking trail in Milford on January 9. A dead dog was spotted on the ice in the Willimantic River on January 10. A dog was found in a plastic bag on Silver Sands beach in Milford on January 11.
Although many shelters and rescues like the Army’s Legacy Animal Rescue and Sanctuary in Westbrook have reached full capacity, advocates worry people who have nowhere to turn will leave their animals outside alone.
They are begging people to keep their pets inside and not abandon them in below-freezing temperatures.
“Animals are going to freeze to death,” Amanda Armstrong, founder of Army’s Legacy Animal Rescue, said. “When there’s a winter weather warning, we’re supposed to bring them inside. They can’t live out in this weather.”
Armstrong said there are other options before abandonment.
“They have to call people for help,” she said. “Maybe your family, your friends, rescues, shelters. There’s got to be somebody out there somewhere to hold on to them.”
Rebekah DeMatteo, vice president of Army’s Legacy Animal Rescue, also had advice.
“If you can’t keep your dog in the main area of your home, put them in the safe room,” she said. “Put them in a crate. If they have to be confined, put them anywhere but outside. Make sure they are safe and have food and water.”
Army’s Legacy is compiling a statewide list of up-to-date resources like rescues, shelters, and foster parents to help families who are struggling to keep their pets.
They know there are a lot of reasons why someone can’t keep a pet. Army’s Legacy formed the Animal Welfare Task Force to come up with solutions. The task force is made up of advocates, animal control officers, veterinarians, trainers and more.
“We’ve been talking about providing more resources and educating the public, starting with schools and kids,” Armstrong said. “Microchipping animals to hold people accountable so when we do find these deceased animals, maybe we can track it back to somebody, or an owner.”
Abandoning an animal is a crime in Connecticut and can lead to prison time or fines.
A pet can be a lot of work, but advocates argue that their life is in your hands.
“If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them,” Armstrong said.
