We are the Fond du Lac Humane Society, a private, independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1969. We serve the City of Fond du Lac and some outlying Municipalities that we hold contracts with by taking in stray animals and helping to reunite them with their owners. We also take in surrendered animals and find them their forever homes. We do not receive state or federal operational funds and are not affiliated with any local or national humane organization. We rely on the generosity of our donors, volunteers, and supporters to operate. We are eternally grateful for each and every one of them for making a difference in the lives of the animals in our care!
With the winter months upon us, we’d like to share some tips on how to keep your furry friends safe and warm during the cold and snowy months. If it’s cold for you, it’s cold for your pets too! People often assume that animals are more resilient to cold weather, and that isn’t the case.
- Check your garage and driveway for antifreeze. With its sweet taste, it easily attracts animals and children, but it is a deadly poison. Keep containers of it out of reach and clean up any spills immediately. If your pet ingests antifreeze, get them to a veterinarian immediately.
- Invest in pet-safe salt for icy areas around your home. Dogs especially are at risk to ingest de-icing salt after walks and then licking their paws. This is especially prevalent on streets and sidewalks. You can use a warm, wet cloth to clean your dogs paws after a walk. Dog booties are a great way to prevent toxic salt from sticking in their paws!
- Keep your animals inside during bitter temperatures. If you must keep your pet outside for any period of time, provide them a dry shelter that is out of the elements. Shelters should be large enough for the animal to turn and lay comfortably, but small enough to hold in their body heat. Be sure the floor is raised off the ground and has a covering of straw or pet-safe wood shavings.
- Lend a helping hand to the feral cats. Tap on the hood of your vehicle before starting it as many feral cats find shelter inside. Take it a step further and provide a quick and easy DIY shelter for feral cats- check out various how to instructions here: Outdoor Cat Shelter Options | Insulated & Heated Feral Cat House Ideas.
- If you find an animal that seems frozen outside, bring it into a warm, dry area immediately. Gently wrap the animal in warm towels to slowly rewarm it. Do not use direct heat like a heating pad. Get the animal to a veterinarian right away for assistance.
We hope that you and your furry friends stay safe and warm this winter! If you find a stray animal within the City of Fond du Lac, give it a helping hand and give us a call at 920-922-8873 to arrange drop off. You can call us if you’re outside of the City too, and we can help put you in touch with the correct contact for your area. We may even hold a contract with your municipality!
If you would like to help support our mission, please visit our website at www.fdlhumane.org to see our Wishlist or to make a donation! We appreciate all your support. Every item and every dollar makes a difference in the lives of the animals!
