Opinion: Plan ahead for pets before blizzard

In search of ponies

The word blizzard isn’t one that gets tossed around a lot, so when it is used, it is advisable to take heed and prepare.

By definition, a blizzard is a severe snowstorm that entails high winds and low visibility — the dramatic kind of storm that’s depicted in movies, complete with whiteout conditions and piles of snow — and that is precisely what is being forecast for the High Plains starting anywhere from this afternoon to Sunday, with accumulation ranges predicted as high as 30 inches.

Sharna Johnson

In search of ponies

Most of the time a snowstorm of the predicted magnitude would be uncomfortable for sure, but could be expected to melt with the rising sun the next day in keeping with the up-and-down personality of New Mexico weather.

Not so with this one, because adding insult to injury, the area is expected to remain below freezing for about a week afterwards, which means not only will the snow and ice stick around, but life in general may be tougher.

Winter weather can be devastating even for those who have shelter, and catastrophic events can include frozen pipes, power outages, high heat costs and inability to get to the store for supplies, all things to think about before the snow arrives.

However special consideration also needs to be given for animals – backyard pets, neighborhood strays and even wild things — that don’t have the luck of being trapped inside with the rest of us while we wait for the snow to melt away.

Winter weather planning tips for the outside critters include:

• Stock up — have enough critter food on hand for several days and stock enough bottled water to share with them if the pipes freeze.

• Keep it thawed — Fill water bowls and tanks in advance, then remove, drain and hang garden hoses indoors and cover outdoor faucets with insulated caps to keep the water moving in deep-freeze conditions. Use water bowls designed to de-ice or keep something heavy on hand to break ice so critters have access to fresh water and can stay hydrated.

• Make room — The ideal solution is to find a way to bring outdoor pets inside. If the house is not an option, then even an unheated barn, shed or garage is better than being directly exposed to the elements and may make the difference between life and death.

• Insulate and heat — Provide bedding and place hot water-filled plastic bottles under it to take the edge off the cold. Raise shelters off the ground and cover with tarps or old blankets to keep the space dry and warm. Avoid heaters and heat lamps, which can cause burns and start fires.

• Wild things — Feral cats, birds and other wildlife are at the mercy of weather. To help them out, keep thawed water, food and even containers or other forms of shelter in areas where they can access them and hunker down.

• Extras — Pets with short hair — indoor critters too — benefit from sweaters, while those with thick hair usually do best with the coat nature gave them. Also, protect pets' paws from salt or de-icers to avoid skin irritations, chemical burns or reactions to toxic chemicals.

• Full bellies — Outdoor animals need more calories and fat to help them fight the cold, so purchase high-fat feeds and give critters more food than normal when the temperature plummets.

For humans, extra time with family, building snowmen, snowball fights, sledding and hot cocoa help to get through the downside of winter — for critters, simple shelter, food and water will see them to the next sunny day.

Sharna Johnson is a writer who is always searching for ponies. You can reach her at:

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