News
Brave Face Frigid Winter Weather to Raise Awareness of Animals Left in the Cold
January 27, 2009, 4:27PM MT
By Jennifer Schrolucke
Staff and volunteer supporters from the Humane Society of Delaware County endured freezing rain, snow, and 20 degree weather to help animals.
Staff and volunteer supporters from the Humane Society of Delaware County endured freezing rain, snow, and 20 degree weather to help animals.
On the night of January 9th, demonstrators gathered at the society to take part in the first annual Freeze Out. Between 8:00pm and 6:00am over 100 community members and reporters came to show their support to demonstrators who devoted themselves to the cause by staying outside for up to 10 hours.
Freeze Out 2009 was held to raise awareness of the suffering felt by animals living outside during frigid winter weather. Humane society director and event organizer Wade Beane, developed the idea as a media event people could relate to. “Our goal was to have people relate to the suffering of the demonstrators, recognize how it would feel to spend an entire winter night outside without shelter, and then transfer their feelings to animals” Beane said.
Over a dozen people spent the entire night outside without shelter including celebrating 30 Minutes Extreme where demonstrators striped down to their bare necessities. “Everyone immediately felt the cold weather whip through their clothes, especially during those 30 minutes” said Beane. Straw was available for insulation and many demonstrators took advantage of it by burying themselves in piles of straw. Everyone who participated in the event walked away with a greater understanding of how severe winter weather is for animals left outside.
Examples of proper winter set ups were also on display for people who keep animals outside. The dog set up included tarps to block the wind, an elevated dog house with straw inside, five gallon bucket for water, and straw around the outside of the house. The cat set up included a low box designed specifically for cats with a small opening and straw inside.
In addition to raising awareness Freeze Out 2009 raised funds to support emergency services for cold weather related situations and to provide winter survival resources for animals that are keep outside. Money donated will be used to build dog and cat houses to distribute throughout the community and purchase tarps and straw.
Beane reports that the event was a huge success and plans are already underway for next year. Freeze Out 2010 is scheduled for January 8th 2010 and the Humane Society of Delaware County is inviting animal welfare organizations throughout the northern states to host their own Freeze Out event on the same night. For details on organizing a Freeze Out 2010 event for your community please contact the Humane Society of Delaware County by emailing humanehsdc@live.com or calling 740-369-7387.
What You Can Do:
The Humane Society of Delaware County will be holding "Houses for Hounds" building project this Saturday, January 31 from 10am- 4 pm at the Delaware Area Career Center. Participants will help to build dog houses that will be distributed to dogs in need in Delaware County. Visit hsdcohio.org for more information.
Story Posted by: Jen Schrolucke, Best Friends Network Volunteer
Photo Courtesy: Humane Society of Delaware County