13 Companion Animals Endured Cold Weather-Related Deaths in 2023—That We Know Of

The number of dogs and other companion animals who have reportedly died from causes related to cold weather in 2023:

13

Every year, PETA receives reports about dogs, cats, and other animals who have died after being left outdoors in cold weather. In 2023 alone, 13 companion animals died because of cold weather—and those are just the deaths that were reported. Most aren’t.

YearDeathsRescuesIncidents
202430542See the list.
202313644See the list.
202235364See the list.
202122475See the list.
2020677See the list.
201937322See the list.
20184334See the list.

The following list is a compilation of cold weather–related deaths of companion animals reported by the media as of 2023:

DateLocationNotesNumber of Dogs and Other Animals Who Died
12/28/2023Niagara Falls, Ontario, CanadaFour puppies were found alive after seven had been dumped in a frigid river.3
12/21/23Cantril, IowaSix puppies died from the cold during an ongoing investigation into a breeder.6
11/29/2023Pittsgrove Township, New JerseyThree puppies were abandoned in the cold woods, and one of them died.1
11/22/2023Toledo, OhioA dog was found dead in a crate after having been left outside at a park in cold, rainy weather.1
1/24/2023Kansas City, MissouriTwo dogs were found frozen in a home during an eviction. One was still barely alive.1
1/8/2023Niagara Falls, Ontario, CanadaFirefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen pond. Another dog fell through the ice and wasn’t recovered.1

The following list is a compilation of cold weather–related rescues of companion animals reported by the media as of 2023:

DateLocationNotesNumber of Dogs and Other Animals Who Were Rescued
12/31/2023Silverdale, WashingtonA dog rescued from the cold outside a Taco Bell restaurant is now working for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.1
12/29/2023Bountiful, UtahAfter being missing for almost two weeks, a dog was found by a hiker.1
12/28/2023New YorkA cat was rescued from the cold rain after “knocking” on an apartment building door for two days.1
12/18/2023Denver, ColoradoA cat was healing from hypothermia after being missing for 23 days in the cold.1
11/25/2023New York, New YorkTwenty-one cats were found in a van on a freezing-cold morning.21
11/25/2023Green Lake Township, MinnesotaA dog was rescued from a frigid lake after falling through thin ice.1
12/24/2023Tacoma, WashingtonA hypothermic dog was found on a front porch on Christmas Eve.1
11/24/2023Vail, ColoradoA dog was found after getting lost after a car crash and spending 50 hours in the cold.1
11/22/2023Lancaster County, PennsylvaniaA visually impaired cat was found outside in the cold.1
12/21/2023River Rouge, MichiganFour kittens who had been abandoned in a park were rescued from the cold.4
12/21/2023West Kelowna, British Columbia, CanadaA cat was rescued from a tree after spending the night in the cold rain.1
12/18/2023Ogema Township, MinnesotaA woman and her dog were found after getting lost in the woods during subzero temperatures overnight.1
12/16/2023Armstrong County, PennsylvaniaThirty dogs were rescued from a farm, where they lived in squalor and without proper insulation.30
12/16/2023Monett, MissouriTwo shivering dogs were rescued after falling into a wastewater pond.2
12/14/2023Malden, MassachusettsA dog with a 13-pound tumor was found tied to a pole in the cold.1
12/12/2023Indianapolis, IndianaA family of six cats and a lonely kitten were rescued from the cold.7
12/7/2023Boxford, MassachusettsA dog was rescued after getting stuck on thin ice on a pond.1
12/7/2023Duluth, MinnesotaA dog was rescued from 8-foot waves after jumping into Lake Superior.1
12/6/2023Wenatchee, WashingtonA dog was rescued from an icy swimming pool.1
12/5/2023South Euclid, OhioA cold dog was rescued after getting stuck in a ravine.1
12/3/2023Anoka County, MinnesotaTwo anglers and their dog were rescued after falling through the ice on a lake.1
11/30/2023Carmel, IndianaA dog was rescued by firefighters after falling through thin ice on a pond.1
11/29/2023Pittsgrove Township, New JerseyThree puppies were abandoned in the cold woods, and one of them died.2
11/18/2023Elk County, PennsylvaniaA hiker and his dog were rescued after spending a night outside in the cold.1
11/17/2023Berkley, MassachusettsA kitten was found outside with a body temperature 7 degrees below normal.1
11/16/2023Frisco, ColoradoA dog was rescued after falling through the ice on a pond at a golf course.1
11/15/2023San Antonio, TexasA wet and shivering puppy was rescued from a storm drain.1
11/15/2023New York, New YorkA family of cats was rescued from the cold after being abandoned in a sealed plastic tub.8
11/12/2023Brookfield, ConnecticutA dog chasing a fox got stranded across a river and was rescued by a dive team.1
11/9/2023Othello, WashingtonA dog was rescued from a cold Walmart parking lot.1
11/4/2023Somerset, WisconsinAn animal rescue group’s annual “out of the cold” project turned up many more animals living outside in the cold than usual.420 rescues (400 dogs, 20 cats)
10/31/2023Hendricks County, IndianaA shivering dog was rescued from a parking lot after being chained to a car.1
10/31/2023Queens, New YorkA blind dog was rescued from a frigid pond.1
10/29/2023Custar, OhioA senior dog was found after being abandoned outside a feline rescue facility.1
10/27/2023Tacoma, WashingtonTwo dogs, one of whom was suffering from hypothermia, were rescued from freezing temperatures outside.2
10/8/2023Chicago, IllinoisA shivering kitten was rescued by a runner during a marathon.1
10/7/2023Mission, British Columbia, CanadaA dog was abandoned in a crate outside an animal sanctuary in the cold rain.1
9/19/2023Islandia, New YorkTwo kittens were rescued from a parking lot on a cold, rainy day.2
5/3/2023Sylvan Lake, Alberta, CanadaFirefighters rescued a dog stuck on the ice of a lake.1
5/1/2023Lower Frankford Township, PennsylvaniaA malnourished dog was brought to an animal shelter after being found “ice cold” and anemic outside.1
4/25/2023Rhinelander, WisconsinFirefighters rescued a dog and their guardian from an icy lake.1
4/25/2023Leavenworth, WashingtonFirefighters rescued a dog from a “frigid” creek.1
4/16/2023Okotoks, Alberta, CanadaA guardian saved their dog from an unused septic tank full of cold water.1
4/15/2023Victoria, British Columbia, CanadaA cat was found with serious frostbite injuries after getting stuck in a van in the cold.1
4/13/2023 Chisago County, MinnesotaNeighbors and sheriff’s deputies helped a mother and daughter rescue a dog who had fallen into an icy lake.1
4/13/2023 Coos County, OregonSheriff’s deputies rescued two dogs and their guardian after their vehicle got stuck in the snow overnight.2
4/11/2023 Big Lake, MinnesotaFirefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen lake.1
4/8/2023 Ottawa, Ontario, CanadaFirefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen body of water.1
4/2/2023Schoharie County, New YorkA dog was rescued from a partially frozen pond.1
3/30/2023Powell River, British Columbia, CanadaA dog and two men were rescued from frigid water after their boat capsized.1
3/29/2023Rumson, New JerseyA teenager rescued a dog from a cold river.1
3/27/2023Westerlo, New YorkFirefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen pond.1
3/26/2023Alna, MaineFirefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen pond.1
3/26/2023Lee Township, MichiganFirefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen body of water.1
3/22/2023Winnipeg, Manitoba, CanadaFour puppies were rescued after being abandoned in a rural area in freezing temperatures.4
3/20/2023Calumet, WisconsinFirefighters rescued a dog and their guardian from a partially frozen pond.1
3/15/2023Walterboro, South CarolinaFirefighters rescued a dog from a cold pond.1
3/15/2023San Bernardino, CaliforniaFirefighters rescued two dogs who were stranded on a snow-covered rooftop and reunited them with their guardian.2
3/13/2023Throop, New YorkFirefighters rescued a dog who had gone missing in cold temperatures.1
3/12/2023Kingston, Ontario, CanadaFirefighters rescued a dog and their guardian from a partially frozen body of water.1
3/12/2023Missoula, MontanaFirefighters and ice climbers rescued a dog who was stuck on a cliff surrounded by ice.1
3/10/2023Detroit, MichiganA dog was rescued after being abandoned in the snow on the side of a freeway.1
3/8/2023Hardwick, MassachusettsFirefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen pond.1
3/7/2023Muskegon Heights, MichiganFirefighters rescued a dog who had fallen from 10 feet onto a frozen body of water.1
3/6/2023Alpena, MichiganFirefighters rescued a dog and their guardian from a partially frozen river.1
3/5/2023Raymond, WisconsinFirst responders rescued two dogs and their guardian from a partially frozen pond.2
3/3/2023Cairo, New YorkA good Samaritan and first responders rescued a dog from a partially frozen pond.1
3/2/2023Kittery, MaineFirefighters rescued two dogs from a partially frozen pond.2
2/28/2023Thornton, ColoradoFirefighters rescued two dogs from a partially frozen lake.2
2/27/2023Douglas, MassachusettsFirefighters rescued two dogs from a partially frozen pond.2
2/25/2023Sagadahoc County, MaineA sheriff’s deputy rescued a nearly frozen dog from a ditch.1
2/24/2023Portland, OregonA police officer rescued a dog who was trapped underneath a dock in a cold river.1
2/23/2023Cranbrook, British Columbia, CanadaA cat was rescued after being found nearly frozen in the snow on the side of a road.1
2/17/2023Denver, ColoradoA man rescued a dog who had fallen through the ice while chasing geese at Sloan’s Lake.1
2/17/2023Kansas City, MissouriA dog was rescued after being found unconscious and covered with semi-frozen feces inside a cold wire crate.1
2/17/2023Libertyville, IllinoisFirefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen pond.1
2/16/2023Lakewood, New YorkFirefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen lake.1
2/15/2023Moffat County, ColoradoStranded motorists and a dog were rescued during a blizzard.1
2/14/2023Lawrence, MassachusettsA man was facing a charge of cruelty to animals after allegedly beating a kitten then abandoning her in the cold outside a gas station.1
2/14/2023Portage, MichiganA dog was rescued by his guardian after falling through a partially frozen lake.1
2/11/2023Adams County, ColoradoFirefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen reservoir.1
2/9/2023Macomb County, MichiganA cat was rescued after being found frozen to the ground at a construction site.1
2/9/2023Danvers, MassachusettsFirefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen reservoir.1
2/7/2023Scituate, Rhode IslandA dog was rescued after being abandoned inside a crate in a cemetery in below-freezing temperatures.1
2/7/2023Waterford, Ontario, CanadaA dehydrated and emaciated dog was found abandoned in frigid temperatures.1
2/6/2023Gardiner, New YorkFirefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen river.1
2/6/2023Kenyon, MinnesotaA good Samaritan rescued a cat who was frozen to the ground.1
2/6/2023LaGrange, New YorkFirefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen body of water.1
2/6/2023Lenexa, KansasA dog was rescued after falling through a partially frozen lake.1
2/5/2023Williamsport, PennsylvaniaA dog was abandoned in a crate at the edge of a parking lot in below-freezing temperatures.1
2/4/2023Louisdale, Nova Scotia, CanadaA man was charged with cruelty to animals after he allegedly left his dog tied up outside in the snow.1
2/4/2023Kelowna, British Columbia, CanadaAn emaciated, pregnant dog was rescued after being found chained to a basement wall in freezing temperatures.1
2/4/2023Dickinson County, IowaGood Samaritans rescued a dog and their guardian after their car fell through the ice on a partially frozen lake.1
2/4/2023Wareham, MassachusettsFirefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen pond.1
2/3/2023Mohawk, New YorkA dog was rescued after being abandoned outside an animal shelter in subzero temperatures.1
2/2/2023Eau Claire, WisconsinA dog was tied to the door of an animal shelter in freezing temperatures.1
2/2/2023Arvada, ColoradoFirefighters rescued a dog and their guardian from a partially frozen lake.1
2/2/2023Yavapai County, ArizonaA dog and their guardians were rescued after spending two nights in their truck, which had gotten stuck in ice and snow.1
2/1/2023Temple, TexasA 10-year-old boy rescued a dog who was tied to a broken tree limb after a winter storm.1
2/1/2023East Haven, ConnecticutA homeless man and his dog were rescued from the cold.1
1/31/2023Dallas, TexasAnimal control officers rescued a dog who was outside in freezing temperatures without shelter or drinkable water.1
1/27/2023Wayne Township, PennsylvaniaA dog survived being shot three times and tied up outside in freezing temperatures.1
1/27/2023Berne, New YorkFirst responders rescued a dog from a partially frozen lake.1
1/27/2023Muskegon, MichiganA stray dog and her puppy were rescued from the cold.2
1/24/2023Kansas City, MissouriTwo dogs were found frozen in a home during an eviction. One was still barely alive.1
1/24/2023Belmont, New HampshireFirefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen lake.1
1/19/2023Point Pleasant, New JerseyA good Samaritan and first responders rescued a dog from a frigid lagoon.1
1/17/2023Ann Arbor, MichiganPolice and firefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen river.1
1/15/2023Omaha, NebraskaA dog and their guardian were rescued from a cold, muddy lake.1
11/10/2023Clearwater, British Columbia, CanadaFifteen neglected and emaciated dogs were seized from a property after being left in subzero temperatures without food or water.15
1/10/2023Pueblo, ColoradoFirefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen lake.1
1/8/2023Ottawa, Ontario, CanadaA dog and her guardian were rescued after falling into a partially frozen river.1
1/8/2023Niagara Falls, Ontario, CanadaFirefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen pond. Another dog fell through the ice and wasn’t recovered.1
1/7/2023Rutherford County, North CarolinaThree puppies were found cold and hungry in the woods.3
1/5/2023Danville, VermontFirefighters rescued a dog, their guardian, and an attempted rescuer from a partially frozen pond.1
1/5/2023Canterbury, New HampshireFirefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen pond.1
1/3/2023Lebanon, MaineA good Samaritan rescued a dog from a partially frozen river.1
1/3/2023Wichita, KansasFirefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen river.1
1/2/2023Pike Creek, DelawareA dog and their guardian were rescued from a partially frozen pond.1
1/2/2023Cabery, IllinoisFirefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen pond.1
1/1/2023Fargo, North DakotaA kitten was rescued after being found frozen to the ground.1
1/1/2023West Fargo, North DakotaA dog was rescued after falling into a partially frozen river.1
1/1/2023Lac-Beauport, Québec, CanadaA dog was rescued from a partially frozen lake.1
1/1/2023Burlington, WyomingAn injured kitten suffering from frostbite was rescued after being found in the cold.1
1/1/2023North Platte, NebraskaDivers rescued a dog from a partially frozen lake.1

No animal should endure a cold weather–related death. It’s inexcusable.

As guardians, we must take these vital steps in order to protect our beloved animal family members:

1. Keep animals indoors.

Puppies and kittens, elderly animals, small animals, and dogs with short hair, including pointers, beagles, pit bulls, Rottweilers, and Dobermans, are particularly susceptible to the elements, but all animal companions should be kept warm and cozy indoors. Short-haired animals will also benefit from wearing warm sweaters or coats during brief trips outdoors.

2. Don’t allow your cat or dog to roam outdoors without supervision.

Being outside unattended is always dangerous for our animal companions, but cold weather poses even more risks. Cats can climb under the hoods of cars in order to get near warm engines and then be badly injured or killed when the vehicle is started.

3. Keep an eye out for strays.

If you see companion animals roaming the streets, bring them indoors until you can find their guardians, or take them to an animal shelter.

4. Clean dogs after they come in from the snow.

Salt and chemicals used to counter snow can make animals sick if they ingest them. Always clean off your dogs’ legs, paws, and stomach after they’ve been out in the snow. If you use antifreeze, buy a nontoxic brand like Sierra or Prestone LowTox.

5. If you see dogs left outdoors in extreme weather without proper shelter, alert the authorities.

Winter weather spells extra hardship for “backyard dogs,” who often go without adequate food, water, shelter, and veterinary care. If you see animals left outside without shelter from the elements, note their location and alert local authorities immediately.

6. Help all animals survive cold snaps.

During extreme winter conditions, you can provide birds and other wildlife with access to water by filling a heavy nonmetal water bowl (tongues can freeze to metal) and breaking the surface ice twice a day.

When the weather improves, be sure to remove any food offerings in order to prevent the animals’ dependence on artificial feedings.

*****

Together, we can help drastically reduce the number of dogs and other animal companions who die in cold weather and even eliminate these tragedies altogether.

Animals are counting on us—as their guardians and as good Samaritans—to keep them safe. We can’t let them down.

Take Action Now

You can become an “Angel for Animals” by sponsoring a PETA doghouse. We provide lonely “outside dogs” with sturdy doghouses to shelter them in the rain and in the snow and freezing temperatures of winter. Click below to help:

Make sure that all your friends and family members know the potentially lifesaving cold-weather tips above:

Watch this video, listen to this radio clip, and check out this ad to learn more about the reasons why you should never leave a dog outside during cold weather.

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