(WAND) — With dangerously cold temperatures on the horizon this weekend, Macon County Animal Control (MCAC) is reminding pet owners to take their animals indoors.
The agency said a general rule of thumb is if it is too cold to stand at the door without a coat, it is too cold for pets to be outside.
MCAC said the only 100% safe option is to keep pets indoors at all times. Outside bathroom breaks should be kept short.
If pets do have to stay outside in a dog house, the shelter should have a safe heat source inside to prevent freezing. MCAC said shelter should use straw instead of blankets, since blankets can get wet, freeze and steal body heat, whereas straw retains heat and stays dry.
Any shelter should be off the ground, wind-proof, insulated and dry.
Animal control said salt and chemicals on roads can burn paw pads, so owners should wipe their pets' feet when they come inside and watch for ice balls forming between toes.
MCAC also said that outdoor cats often crawl into warm car engines to sleep, so car owners should give their hood a loud bang before starting the car to make sure no animal is inside.
Anyone who sees an animal without shelter, water, or shivering in distress is asked to call Macon County Animal Control at 217-425-4508, or dispatch at 217-424-1311 for after-hours calls between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.
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