Is it cold enough for you yet? Plenty of pets to keep you warm. Dec. 7 – Dec. 8

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — There is no getting around it: winter weather is officially here. With snow and temperatures dropping below freezing, cold weather seriously threatens animals’ health. There’s a lot to prepare for when it comes to winter weather. Just like we’re affected by the cold, our dogs are, too.

• How cold is too cold? When the temperature falls below 35 degrees Fahrenheit for dogs or below 45 degrees Fahrenheit for cats, pet owners should restrict the time their pets spend outside. Anything below that puts pets at risk of developing hypothermia or frostbite.
• Lift the hood: Before you start your car’s engine, remember to look beneath the hood. Bang on the hood and honk the horn to warn any feline companions who could be snuggled up in the engine compartment, as outdoor cats frequently seek warmth and cover there. A warm vehicle engine can be an appealing heat source for outdoor and feral cats, but it can also be deadly.
• Protect their paws. The chemicals that melt snow and ice off sidewalks and streets may injure or irritate pets’ foot pads. Avoid antifreeze, which is poisonous to pets, and always choose pet-friendly ice melt products. Advice: To save a trip to the vet, gently wipe pets’ feet with a moist towel after they are back inside. Also, boots can shield paws from the irritant salting the pavement.
• Bundle them up. Consider getting a dog coat or sweater if your dog has a short coat or appears disturbed by the cold. Keep a few on hand so you may use a dry coat or sweater each time your dog goes outside. Wet coats or sweaters can make your dog feel colder. If you decide to wear booties, make sure they fit correctly. Some pet owners also use them to protect their dog’s feet.
• A good wipe down. When out for walks, your dog’s feet, legs, and belly may absorb potentially harmful chemicals, such as antifreeze or de-icing treatments. To eliminate these toxins and lower the possibility that your dog will become poisoned after licking them off his or her feet or fur, wipe down (or wash) your pet’s feet, legs, and belly when you return inside. Consider applying pet-friendly de-icers to your property to keep your pets and the people in your area safe.

Meet Haji

Adoption events

Dec. 5 – 8

Best Friends is hosting an event this weekend in NYC. Check out their website for informative data on sheltered dogs and cats in the United States, collected from over 7,900 shelters and rescue groups. They have an animal sanctuary worth the trip if you’re ever in the area.

Dec. 8

• Staten Island Hope Animal Rescue will be at Bricktown Commons Petco, 165 Bricktown Way, Suite 1C, from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Weekly event: Animal Care Centers of New York City is open to adopt dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and rabbits at 3139 Veterans Rd. West from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. For general information on adopting from ACC and other community-based programs through ACC, go to www.nycacc.org.

Meet Tommy

Gifts for animal lovers

Julie Forlenza, a former teacher at I.S. 7, PS 62, and manager at Woof and Tails Lodge , took action after Hurricane Ian to help animals in shelters. She is the owner of Black Dog Portrait. Her passion for helping animals is exceptional. Check her out on Facebook or Instagram.

Stellar Villa is a New York City-based artist who recently raised over $11,500 for pet shelters after she single-handedly created 1,252 custom pieces of art of people’s pets over 21 days. Now, she is working to create ongoing partnerships with local animal shelters to continue raising money. If you’re looking for a gift for a dog lover, check out Stellar’s work.

A Big Life for Buddy is a children’s book written and illustrated by Sophia Di Meglio. It offers children a lighthearted look at an exceptional dog and teaches them about growing older, belonging, and the fact that loss is a natural part of life.

Meet Jackson

Ongoing

1. Low-cost or free spay and neuter: The ASPCA’s free and low-cost mobile spay and neuter van travels throughout the five boroughs in every neighborhood.

Low-income pet owners in the five boroughs with proof of public assistance, such as welfare, Medicaid, Medicare, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), disability, food stamps, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), or public housing qualify for free spay/neuter services for their cat or dog. If you have a pit bull, pit-bull mix, or certain large breed dogs, it’s also free.

For the exact times, the van will be in your area, as well as pre-visit instructions, visit aspca.org/pet-care/spayneuter, or call 877-SPAY-NYC (877-772-9692).

2. Apply for a dog license. Save time and postage by applying online. For an application or more information, visit nyc.gov/doglicense. View the flyer in the gallery above.

Hiking trails

Dog-friendly parks

· Allison Park, off-leash area, the field at the end of the trail bordered by Prospect Avenue, Sailors Snug Harbor Cemetery, and the pond

· Amundsen Trail, off-leash area, between Amboy Road and Hylan Boulevard

· Arthur Von Briesen Park, off-leash area, lawn area, mid-park on the right side

· Bloomingdale Park, dog run, Maguire Avenue behind athletic fields closer to Ramona Avenue

· Clove Lakes Park, off-leash area, the open field above picnic area near Royal Oak Road and Rice Avenue

· Clove Lakes Park, off-leash area, Brookside Avenue between Alpine Court and Kingsley Avenue (lawn area)

· Clove’s Tail Park, off-leash area, lawn area, corner of Victory Boulevard and Little Clove Road

· Conference House Park, dog run, Clermont Avenue and Massachusetts Street

· Cozzens Woods Park, off-leash area, Page Avenue between Hylan Boulevard and Amboy Road

· Crescent Beach Park, off-leash area, Tennyson Drive, and Glover Avenue; located in the meadow area leading to the beach

· Evergreen Park, off-leash area, Greaves Avenue and Evergreen Street

· Father Macris Park, off-leash area, lawn beyond ball field

· Ida Court Playground, dog run, Ida Court between North Railroad Street and Drumgoole Road East

· Lemon Creek Park, off-leash area, the bottom of Seguine Avenue at Johnston Terrace; just below the playground

· Siedenburg Park, off-leash area, Greaves Avenue, and Evergreen Street

· Silver Lake Park, dog run, Victory Boulevard below the pavilion, across from the Parkview Apartments

· South Beach Park, off-leash area. Note: On sand only after Labor Day and before Memorial Day

· Willowbrook Park, off-leash area, Archery Range Field

· Wolfe’s Pond Park, dog run, to the left of Cornelia Avenue

For more information with rules and regulations, visit nycgovparks.org/facilities/dogareas.

Dogs cannot enter any bathing facilities, including those at New York City beaches. However, from Oct. 1 through May 1, leashed dogs are allowed on the sand and boardwalk at Midland Beach and South Beach.

For more information on rules and regulations, visit nycgovparks.org/facilities/dogareas.

Pet poison helplines

If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, contact the Pet Poison Hotline at 855-764-7661 or petpoisonhelpline.com, or contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 or aspca.org.

As the seasons change, keep in mind the plants that are poisonous to animals: https://www.rover.com/blog/poisonous-plants/

To report animal cruelty

To report an incident of animal abuse, call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.

Environmental conservation

To contact an environmental conservation police officer or report suspected violations, contact the DEC Law Enforcement Dispatch Center at 844-DEC-ECOS (844-332-3267) or dec.ny.gov/