MISSION — As the Rio Grande Valley braces for the cold front that is set to sharply drop temperatures below freezing, the Mission Animal Shelter is reminding pet owners that even furry friends need protection from the cold.
The shelter is currently undertaking “Proyecto Defensa” or Project Defense to protect the pets in their care from the expected arctic outbreak that forecasters expect will arrive Thursday night.
Part of that work began Tuesday which included setting up space heaters, one for every three kennels. They also began placing aluminum sheets to cover the back part of the kennels to block the air flowing down from the north.
Currently, the back of the kennels are covered by plywood which Daniel Garza, the director of the Mission health department, says doesn’t adhere to public health standards.
“The way it should have been constructed is for there to be a cement wall, at least for the bottom half,” Garza said, pointing out that wood cannot be disinfected as it absorbs everything.
“There’s a lot of things that I wish could be completed but with the resources that we currently have and the way that the system is set up, I can only do so much with this but we are taking all necessary precautions,” Garza said.
Shortly after 2 p.m. on Wednesday a handful of volunteers unloaded stacks of small blankets into the shelter’s main office.
In a large shed across from the kennels, they had a large bag of even more blankets, sweaters and dog beds.
Garza said they’ll be placing the sweaters and the blankets on the animals ahead of the temperature drop but what they’re in dire need of now are propane tanks for the space heaters.
“We want to make sure that they’re running all the time just because the weather is going to get immensely cold and we would hate for these animals to get negatively affected by it,” he said. “We want to keep at least one extra (propane tank) for each space heater.”
They currently have 13 space heaters — which run for approximately seven to eight hours — and have nine propane tanks so they’re in need of four more.
With efforts to keep these animals warm already underway, Garza asks that pet owners bring their own pets inside during freezing temperatures if they’re not already.
“If they can’t, then let’s say the animal is tied up outside — another request that I would make of them would be to at least try moving the animal so that it’s closer to the house so that way the wind can be blocked,” he said.
“Of course, trying to provide any sort of kennel for them or crates to where they can be in there with some straw or blankets, anything that will protect them from the cold,” Garza added.
“The cold is going to weaken their immune system and without any proper nutrition, these animals are just going to get weaker and that will be considered neglect and animal abuse,” he added.
The Mission Animal Shelter, along with Palm Valley Animal Society and other shelters throughout the Valley, are also seeking volunteers to foster animals for a few nights in an effort to keep them warm during the cold weather.
Through Palm Valley’s Holiday Pawjama Party program, pets are available for pick up beginning Thursday from 2 to 7 p.m. Drop off will be on Monday from 2 to 7 p.m.
Those interested in fostering can reach the Mission Animal Shelter at (956) 580-8741 and Palm Valley Animal Society by email at [email protected] or text (956) 278-0702.
To see more, view Monitor photojournalist Joel Martinez’s full photo gallery here:
Photo Gallery: Mission shelter to keep pets warm ahead of freezing temperatures
