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Known for his punishing hits and crushing sacks on the gridiron, New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan is just a big puppy dog when it comes to shivering canines. That’s why the venerable nine-year NFL veteran has teamed up with PETA to throw a penalty flag on anyone who relegates the family dog to the backyard, especially when the mercury dips.
In a TV public service announcement (PSA) called “Cold Paws,” set to start airing this winter, Strahan warns that dogs left outside in cold weather can suffer from frostbite and hypothermia, as well as stress and loneliness. Chained and neglected dogs also suffer from loneliness because of the lack of human contact.
With two career defensive touchdowns under his belt, Strahan says he feels he scored three more when he and wife Jean rescued a trio of needy dogs.
“Our dogs are part of the family,” says Strahan, filmed with his pampered pups Tasha, Katie, and Stella. “Keep them chained up in a cold backyard? That’s way out of bounds. I wouldn’t even do that to a quarterback!”
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By the way some people treat their dogs, you'd think they were afraid Muffin would melt if they brought her inside. If you look around, you will see them: dogs living under camper shells, overturned barrels, and plywood boards propped up against the fence. This is where millions of dogs live-all day, every day. When it rains, they're out there. When it's 17 degrees and blowing 35 miles an hour, they're out there. When a big snow comes and their human families are cozy inside by the fire, these dogs are still … out there, shivering, whimpering, wishing they could come inside.
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Click on the image to see dogs
who were rescued from the cold
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Dogs and other animals may have fur coats, but they can still suffer from frostbite, exposure and dehydration when water sources freeze. Cold weather spells extra hardship for "backyard" dogs.
"In nature, dogs would dig dens or otherwise find refuge from the elements," says PETA cruelty caseworker Amy Rhodes. "But chained and confined dogs often have no escape from the cold." PETA has received reports of dogs with frostbitten ears and noses, even dogs found frozen nearly to death.
Every winter, PETA provides dozens of needy dogs with doghouses and bedding and convinces many owners to bring their dogs inside. During one cold spell, we loaded up a truck with straw and delivered it to a low-income housing project where many dogs were desperately in need of warm, dry bedding material. Another truckload of straw was stationed in a supermarket parking lot and given away free to owners of "outside" dogs. A "sample" doghouse was so admired that it, too, was given away on the spot!
Please get involved if you see a neglected animal. "Urge people to bring their animals inside," says Amy. "If you meet with resistance, alert the authorities. Concerned neighbors are often the only hope for these poor animals."
Share the following cold-weather tips with friends, coworkers, and neighbors. You may save a life.
Help Animals Cheat Chilly Weather
When the mercury plummets, animals need extra protection from the elements. Take the following precautions to ensure animals' safety:
• Bring animals inside, particularly puppies and kittens, elderly animals, small animals, and dogs with short hair, including pointers, beagles, Rottweilers, pit bulls, and Dobermans.  Short-haired animals will also benefit from a cozy sweater or coat.
• Provide dogs with proper shelter. Doghouses should be made of wood or plastic (metal conducts cold) and positioned in a sunny location during cold weather. Raise the house off the ground several inches and put a flap over the door to keep out cold drafts. Use straw for bedding—rugs and blankets can get wet and freeze.
• Don't allow your cat or dog to roam freely outdoors. During winter, cats sometimes climb up under the hoods of cars to be near warm engines and are killed or badly injured when the car is started. (To help prevent this, bang loudly on the hood of your car before starting the engine.) Animals can also become disoriented when there is snow or ice on the ground. More animals are lost during the winter than during any other season.
• Increase animals' food rations during winter (they are burning more calories to keep warm). Also, be sure animals are free of internal parasites, which can rob them of vital nutrients.
•  Buy antifreeze made with propylene glycol (brands include Sierra and Prestone Lowtox) instead of ethylene glycol, which is a deadly poison even in small doses. Animals are attracted to antifreeze because of its sweet taste, so be sure to promptly clean up spills.
• Clean off your dog's or cat's legs, feet, and stomach after coming in from the snow. Salt and other chemicals can make an animal sick if they are ingested while the animal grooms him- or herself.
• Provide a source of water for outdoor animals and wildlife (break the ice at least twice a day). Put water in a heavy bucket or bowl to prevent tipping.
• Keep an eye out for strays. Bring unidentified animals
inside until you can find their guardian or take them to the
animal shelter. If strays are wild or unapproachable, provide
food, water, and shelter (stray cats will appreciate a small
doghouse filled with warm bedding), and call the local humane
society for assistance in humanely
trapping them and getting them safely indoors.
• Call the humane society or animal control to report neglect. If possible, take pictures and write down dates and times the dog goes without food, water, or shelter. "Complain" about barking. Barking dogs are often lonely, neglected dogs. A common translation of "Arf, arf, arf" is "Hey, I'm lonely and bored and COLD out here!" Provide food, water, and toys for "forgotten" dogs and offer to donate a sturdy doghouse. Volunteer to take dogs for walks and bring them into your own house on cold nights.
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How to Host Your Own Straw Giveaway
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Buy bales of straw from your local "feed and seed" store. They will often give discounts on bulk orders. Take along the "cold-weather tips" listed above and post them.
Borrow or rent a large truck. (We rent a 14-footer.)
 Approach a local supermarket or discount department store and ask for permission to set aside a section of its parking lot for your straw giveaway.
Send a media advisory to newspapers, radio and TV stations alerting them to the time, place, and date of the giveaway.
Bring along a tarpaulin to cover any leftover straw and leave it with a sign reading: "Free straw. Great bedding for dogs!"
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Breaking the Chains
Did you know that continuously chaining dogs is illegal in Germany? Closer to home, Maumelle, Ark. and Camden, N.J., prohibit chaining dogs to doghouses or other stationary objects. Tucson, Ariz., has banned the use of ropes and chains to confine animals. In Washington, D.C., the Washington Humane Society considers chaining "unnecessary cruelty" and refuses to allow it. For more about current legislation on chaining and tethering dogs, click here.
Contact PETA for a
supply of informative
leaflets to distribute to owners of neglected dogs.
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