Jill Proffitt, of Teignmouth Animal Rescue Centre, writes:

During this extreme weather, we have rescued several animals due to the ignorance or neglect of owners thinking it is okay to leave rabbits and guineapigs outside in small cages with little or no bedding, food and, in some cases, frozen water left for days.

We are suggesting that, if you are able to, you should bring your rabbit or guineapig into a well lit garage, shed or outhouse with a cover for protection from frost and drafts.

Some people think that because an animal has a fur coat it can survive in any climate conditons. Wrong – some rabbits and guineapigs have been found dead and frozen in their often too small cages, due to lack of space to move about, bedding, warmth, food and suitable shelter and cover.

It does not end with rabbits and guineapigs. Aviary birds also need suitable housing within their aviaries. Natural perches and weather shielding from snow, blizzards, rain and wind are extremely important.

Some people still think it is all right to put the cat out at night. In bad weather most cats will try and find the nearest place for shelter and there they will stay until they are allowed in the next morning.

When you take on an animal, it is not just about feeding and cleaning out. It's about their needs and protection also. A cat flap is always a good thing to have, giving your cat the choice of being inside or outside; many cats go missing at night.

In all my years of animal rescue I have known few dogs who, if they had a choice, would want to live outside in a shed, outbuilding or garage. Dogs are highly social pack animals, needing stimulation and companionship. Too often they are left alone, chained up with little or no shelter or bedding, leading miserable lives.

We have many calls from people who know of dogs living near them in appalling conditons. Often the people who keep dogs in these conditions feel it is all right to do this, because the law states that, if you provide food and some shelter, it is not illegal.

If you keep your dog living outside, it is imperative that you provide suitable housing in a large enclosure so your dog can run free, rather than on a chain or rope, with suitable warm bedding, food and water.

With the recent arctic conditions, the majority of dogs are also feeling the cold, especially the short coated breeds such as the Staffordshire bull terriers and Jack Russells, etc.

These dogs are often the victims of owners who want to keep so-called macho breeds and who refuse to put a dog coat on them because they feel it is not neccessary, or the image they want. When you see a dog shivering, often it is because it's cold; it's not always down to some form of aniexty.

All of us feel the cold and animals are no different. Most people know their animals and are aware of their needs, but there is always help and advice available.

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