If you’re looking for a story that will warm you up on a cold winter day, this will surely do the trick. It revolves around a phenomenal group of good samaritans in Poland who worked with a local animal shelter to adopt or at least temporarily foster some of its dogs as a deadly cold snap rolled into the area.
What came about was “Operation Frost,” where in just one weekend, tons of people came to the shelter and waited hours to save the lives of these shelter dogs, who previously had to live outside.
@weratedogs“Operation Frost” 14/10 for everyone involved ❤️ #weratedogs
Outlets reported that temperatures were set to plummet to around minus four degrees Fahrenheit in parts of southern Poland, where the animal shelter is located. With 300 dogs to care for, not all of them could stay inside and many were in outside enclosures. As a result, they called on the public for temporary assistance so all of the four-legged friends could fit inside, where it was safe and warm.
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While many dogs have the privilege of being permanent inside dogs, how should we protect dogs that live in outside pens? As it turns out, several factors alter how dogs can handle the cold.
How cold is too cold for dogs? It depends
Dog Coat Type: Dogs with thick, double-layered coats such as Huskies and German Shepherds, have the proper “gear” for handling the fridge elements. However, dogs with thin coats may have issues with the cold. If your dog has a very thin coat, you will want to consider bundling them up before heading outside and gifting them a warm sweater.
Dog Coat Color: In addition to coat type, dogs with black, brown, or other dark-coated coats can take in more heat from the sun, keeping them more comfortable than dogs with light-colored coats.
Dog Weight: Body fat also keeps dogs warm, so dogs with less body fat naturally get cold faster. However, it’s best not to let your dog bulk up in preparation for colder temps.
Dog’s age and overall health: Dogs that are more sensitive to changes in their environment such as puppies and older dogs cannot regulate their body temperature as well as dogs in better health condition. As a result, it’s best to protect these vulnerable pups with sweaters and keep their outdoor activity to a minimum.
With the cold here to stay for some time, it’s best to monitor your dog when they’re outside and never leave them unsupervised when the weather is extreme. If you notice them shivering, showing signs of anxiousness, or simply looking cold, it’s best to bring them inside and cuddle them up!
