Guardians of Rescue is braving the bitter cold temperatures to help pets left in the cold, often chained or tethered. It’s a mission they are passionate about and wish wasn’t necessary, but it’s one they continue because animal welfare laws are often weak and not enforced. They can only do their work of helping these animals in the freezing temperatures, providing them with items that help them survive the brutal winter, with the support of those in the community. Every time someone provides the organization with support, they are in turn helping to save a freezing dog from a miserable or deadly winter.
"Despite improvements in animal welfare laws over recent years, there is still a very long way to go before they are as robust as they need to be, and of course, they must be properly enforced because if they aren't, animals suffer longer,” says Robert Misseri, founder of Guardians of Rescue. “We work daily to reach dogs living outdoors without vital protection.”
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the Animal Welfare Act provides specific temperature requirements for dogs in various housing structures. The problem is that the laws are often weak and not enforced. They recommend a dog not be under 45 degrees for more than four hours. If dogs are in the cold for extended periods, they should have a method for conserving body heat, including dry bedding, resting surfaces, heat lamps, etc.
Many dogs are still being left outdoors 24/7 in the bitter cold, with some on chains or being tethered. They need more adequate housing and methods for keeping warm. Guardians of Rescue address these cases firsthand, starting with speaking with the pet owner. They try to educate them about the dangers and cruelty involved in leaving a pet outdoors in such brutal conditions. If the pet owner is not willing to change and bring them indoors, they then inquire if they would surrender the pet to them. Any pets offered to them by the owner are then matched with a loving home.
When pet owners are not open to bringing the dog indoors or surrendering it and insist on the pet staying outdoors, then Guardians of Rescue do all they can to make it more comfortable for the dog. They supply an insulated dog house and secure run, so the dog has shelter and will no longer be on a chain or tether. They also provide heating pads and no-freeze water bowls, and they will sometimes cover the cost of electricity if they offer a heated dog house. They also provide the dogs with bedding, coats, food, and medical assistance. They also help cats during the cold winters by providing houses for community and homeless cats to shelter them from the cold.
“Guardians of Rescue is the only option available to those that must remain outside,” added Misseri. “We work with owners to dramatically improve the dogs' living conditions to ensure they survive the brutal weather, and the dogs receive our ongoing support, but we can only be there for these desperate animals thanks to the help of compassionate members of the public."
Guardians of Rescue provides various services to help save animals, reunite people and pets, investigate animal cruelty cases, and offer disaster response assistance, such as in the aftermath of hurricanes. Their work has impacted people and animals around the world. They can only continue their work through the generosity of those who donate to support the cause. To get more information or make a donation, visit the site athttps://guardiansofrescue.networkforgood.com/projects/119249-freeze
