00:00With deadly wildfires in Southern California and the cold weather making its way across most of the Mid-South,
00:05millions of people are at risk, and their pets can be in danger in these situations as well.
00:10Yeah, Lori Simmons is the founder and CEO of Big Dog Ranch Rescue.
00:14Thank you so much for joining us again, Lori.
00:16Let's start things off with the situation in California.
00:19With so many people evacuating, what have you learned about the shelter situation for pets in Southern California?
00:26And I'm just noticing the cutie dog that you have with you.
00:31Yes, we've got Freckles with us today.
00:34We brought an entire busload of dogs and puppies down from our Alabama shelter.
00:42We have one in just outside of Auburn and Montgomery.
00:47And we cleared out space to make room for dogs that are in shelters that have no cover and no heat.
00:56So we made lots of spaces.
00:59So far today, we've had 27 new dogs come in that were out the cold.
01:06OK, so moving back to Texas in the Mid-South, speaking of the cold, with this unusual winter storm in these states,
01:12as far as how strong it is, how are pets at risk?
01:17Well, people don't realize that dogs that are not used to this kind of freezing temperatures,
01:24especially puppies and short-coated dogs, won't survive in single-digit temperatures more than 24 hours.
01:37Horses, their waters freeze. They have to have access to water.
01:42You know, dogs are fine outside in temperatures for short times,
01:47but literally won't survive if they're subject to freezing temperatures for more than 24 hours.
01:56And of course, a lot of our pets, you know, they like to have fun in the snow,
01:59like the video that you just saw on your screen there.
02:02But what do people need to be keeping in mind to keep their pets safe and healthy during,
02:07you know, these winter days of snow, cold and ice?
02:12Watch them closely. Don't leave them outside too long.
02:17Make sure you make accommodations to bring them in.
02:22If they are outside, make sure they have shelter from the cold, blankets, something to warm up, even hay.
02:31If you can't bring your dogs inside and cover from the elements
02:36and the wind, it can be life-saving for these pets.
02:42Absolutely. My mother-in-law has a Doberman and she got to see her first snowfall ever yesterday.
02:47And let's just say she was not a fan. Those short-haired dogs do not like the cold.
02:52But one thing I want to ask you now is what can people do to help you so you can help the pets?
02:59Well, please come foster a dog. Our Alabama facility in Shorter Alabama is at capacity
03:07and has over 650 dogs there. Big Dog Ranch down here in Florida.
03:15While we're not having freezing temperatures, we need to make room for dogs.
03:21We're actually heading out to California day after tomorrow to relieve shelter space for pets
03:30where people have lost their homes that are coming into shelter environments.
03:35And we need to make room for the strays and that have been turned loose during the fires
03:44or for people that have lost their homes have nowhere to keep their pets so that they have room in the shelter.
03:51So making space by taking out their dogs that are already in a shelter environment is a huge help.
03:59So by coming and fostering a dog, adopting a dog.
04:04Unfortunately, people don't realize it all comes down to space.
04:09When a shelter is full, they can't help. When we have open kennels, we can.
04:15OK, Lori Simmons with special guest star Freckles, founder and CEO of Dog Ranch Rescue.
04:21Thank you so much for joining us.
04:23Well, thank you so much for having us.
04:25And we pray every day for all the people that are suffering right now with weather or fires.
04:33And we also pray for the pets that that are in need.
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