What To Do If You See a Pet Left Out in the Cold

It can be a crime to leave pets outside in extreme temperatures without food and shelter

Cold weather can be deadly for pets. As the temperature plummets in many parts of the country, The Humane Society of the United States sees a marked increase in the number of complaints about dogs and cats who have been left outside with no food or shelter.

We encourage you to contact local law enforcement agencies because pets left outside in extreme temperatures, especially without food and shelter, are at risk of hypothermia, frostbite and even death. Their owners are at risk of facing criminal charges.

The act of leaving a pet outside without food or adequate shelter often receives less attention than a violent attack against an animal, but neglect is a crime. "Especially in these cold months, it is important for people to bring their pets inside and for others to report neglected animals to law enforcement,” says Ashley Mauceri, HSUS manager for cruelty response, who fields these calls.

To read more on this story, click here: What To Do If You See a Pet Left Out in the Cold


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Washington Animal Rescue League: Dogs Once Suffering on S. Korean Dog Meat Farm Arrived in the DC Area - Media is Invited to Cover the Transfer of Dogs on Monday, Dec. 14

Washington, DC - Humane Society International rescue dogs and shut down fourth farm; partners with Washington Animal Rescue League and Washington, DC metro shelters to find dogs loving homes.

(Dec. 9, 2015) ― Twenty six dogs rescued from a dog meat farm in South Korea by Humane Society International begin arriving at the Washington Animal Rescue League on Dec. 11, on their way to new lives. Once the animals are evaluated by WARL staff, the dogs will be divided among them and four other Emergency Placement Partner shelters including the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, Animal Welfare League of Arlington, Fairfax County Animal Shelter and Washington Humane Society to find the dogs homes. Emergency Placement Partners is a program of The Humane Society of the United States, HSI’s U.S. affiliate.

WHAT:       Media is invited to cover the transfer of dogs on Monday, Dec. 14 at WARL.

WHERE:    Washington Animal Rescue League, 71 Oglethorpe Street, NW, Washington,     D.C., 20011

WHEN:       Monday, Dec. 14 at 11:00 a.m. EST

WHO:        

Robert Ramin, president and ceo of WARL

Kelly O’Meara, director of companion animals and engagement for HSI

Representatives from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, Animal Welfare League of Arlington, Fairfax County Animal Shelter and Washington Humane Society

Background:  HSI worked with the farm owner to remove the dogs from miserable conditions and close its doors for good. As part of the plan, he signed an agreement with HSI to shut down the property. HSI will follow the farmer’s progress to ensure compliance. HSI will demolish the cages once all the dogs are safely removed.

HSI is working to reduce the dog meat trade in Asia, including in South Korea where dogs are farmed for the trade – and where the 2018 Winter Olympics will be held. HSI will work with other dog farmers who agree to get out of the inhumane dog meat trade permanently and transition into trades like crop growing.

**Photos and video of the Korean dog meat farm, and their arrival at Dulles are available by request.

Media Note: Credentialed media interested in attending should RSVP to a contact below.

Media Contacts:

HSI: Raul Arce-Contreras, 240-620-3263, rcontreras@humanesociety.org

WARL: Matt Williams, 202-280-9412, matt.williams@warl.org

About Humane Society International

Humane Society International and its partner organizations together constitute one of the world’s largest animal protection organizations. For more than 20 years, HSI has been working for the protection of all animals through the use of science, advocacy, education and hands on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty worldwide – on the Web at hsi.org.

About the Washington Animal Rescue League

For 100 years, the Washington Animal Rescue League has rescued the dogs, cats, puppies and kittens that had nowhere else to go.  As the oldest animal shelter in the Nation’s Capital, the Washington Animal Rescue League has rescued, cared for and adopted more than 100,000 animals in its history.  The only area shelter with a full service medical center, the Washington Animal Rescue League’s mission continues to evolve as conditions change and animals face new and different challenges, but the core of that mission remains unchanged:  to honor and strengthen the human-animal bond by providing the best quality care for homeless dogs and cats, and supporting companion animals in their homes through affordable veterinary care, community outreach, and education. For additional information, visit www.warl.org.

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