Many Winnipegers have begun the yearly transition as we trade our shorts and t-shirts for the jackets, hats, and mitts shoved deep within our dusty closets. Although we hope it won’t come, winter always arrives in Manitoba sooner than later, and as we prepare ourselves for the fridged nights, we, too, must prepare our furry companions.
Winter is an interesting time for pet owners. For some, it’s a frantic rush to figure out how to burn through a pet’s endless energy while cooped up indoors, while for others, as we bundle up on our couches, we wonder, with all this new time at home, do we want to take the chance and add a new element into our families. Regardless of the circumstances, pet owners and potential owners need to educate themselves in preparing to maintain the physical and emotional well-being of animals during the coldest months of the year.
That’s where people like Jamie come in. Jaime works at the Winnipeg Humane Society’s (WHS) behaviour department, focusing on the behaviour, training, and well-being of animals at the shelter and in the community. Jaime addresses behavioural issues to prepare pets for their forever homes and ensure smooth transitions for adopted animals.
“My job here at the shelter is working both with animals who are in our care to get them to the point where they are ready for their forever homes. A lot of dogs and cats do show up to us. Quite frantic and scared of the new environment. There are many reasons, but we work with those animals to get them to the point where they can be happily adopted into their homes.”
That’s a significant role for the shelter, as families come to look to add a new member to their family, ensuring animals remain in their new home as a constant change in environment can cause unnecessary stress.
“They come into the shelter, and their routine is thrown off, says Jaime. “Then, they get adopted to a new home, and their routine is thrown off again. So, there are a lot of inconsistencies. So, we find that inconsistency will breed insecurity in animals, and insecurity is where we get those stress-related behaviours popping up.”
Keeping animals, especially ones used to spending a fair amount of time outside before snow hits the ground, can also showcase those stress-related behaviours if not physically and mentally stimulated enough.
“Dogs are incredibly smart… if we can give them outlets to use that brain while they’re inside, it can get them just as much, if not more, of an outlet than physical activity.”
Preparing for the colder months includes stocking up on the proper gear, such as dog booties, and getting pets accustomed to winter wear in advance, helping them cope with freezing conditions. Lights or reflective gear are also essential for walks in the dark winter months. Another thing to prepare for is ensuring yard security. As snow builds up, a six-foot fence can easily become a four-foot one.
Just like humans, pets have varying levels of cold tolerance influenced by factors such as their coat type, body fat, activity level, and overall health. It’s essential to be mindful of your pet’s ability to handle cold weather and make adjustments as needed. Consider shortening your dog’s walks in extremely cold conditions to minimize health risks for both of you. Additionally, arthritic and older pets may struggle more on snow and ice, making them more susceptible to slipping and falling.
However, it’s equally important to be aware of the animals that don’t have the security of a home.
Lynne Scott runs Craig Street Cats, a feral cat management program and kitten rescue working with the nearly 100,000 cats living in Winnipeg. Scott started Craig Street Cats in 2007 after finding a series of kittens near her home. She quickly realized that her neighbourhood, Craig Street, had a severe issue with stray cats.
“On Craig Street, which is only one block long, there were 40 plus adult cats, unowned, roaming the street and reproducing at will.”
After failing to find adequate solutions through local resources, she began her efforts to manage the population, leading to her deep involvement in trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs. Many of these casts are feral, meaning they try to stay as far from humans as possible. Scott says that in many neighbourhoods, you may never know there’s a colony of cats until kittens are born. Despite these cats not wanting to become someone’s friendly pet, Scott believes in ensuring they have a long and healthy life. People can achieve this by putting out food and water and a warm place for them to rest during the winter months. However, any friendly cats or kittens need to be brought indoors, and a home for them must be found.
As Scott says, “Leaving them outdoors is not a solution. Even if they’re fixed, leaving them outdoors is not a solution because they do not have the survival skills that a truly feral cat has.”
Although you may never see feral cats in your neighbourhood, you’ll find out quickly once kittens enter the equation. Cats and dogs, through unwanted breeds, continue to push shelters to the brink. Soon, Craig Street Cats will no longer be able to offer their shelter services, transitioning to educational services only, stating the resources needed for spay and neuter programs and daily operations aren’t sustainable. For Scott, challenging unethical breeding centres and engaging communities are top priorities in addressing growing dog and cat populations. According to her, initiatives must come from provincial governments as some rural municipalities have irresponsibly licensed commercial dog and cat breeders.
The Winnipeg Humane Society and many other shelters across the country are past typical capacity. The WHS ensures that as many animals in Winnipeg as possible have a safe place to stay, with approximately 240 animals in their care and an additional 200 fostered. The Barn Buddies program is another initiative in getting animals off the street. For some cats who don’t suit life in the home, the program gives these cats a huge second opportunity by being able to live safely in a heated barn, workshop, or garage.
Resources and community engagement are paramount for any organization dedicated to animal welfare. Funding is needed for education, spaces, food, and medical care. Anyone interested in supporting Craig Street Cats or the Winnipeg Human Society can visit their websites at https://www.craigstreetcats.ca/ and https://winnipeghumanesociety.ca/.
– Ryan Funk, U Multicultural
