As dangerously cold temperatures grip the Metro Detroit area, animal rescue organizations are responding to a surge of emergency calls for animals suffering from frostbite, including abandoned pets seeking shelter wherever they can find it.
“We’ve got dogs where their eyelids are frozen; it is so cold out here, you see the frost on their eyelashes, their eyelids, we’re seeing a lot of skin irritation, necrotic tissue,” said Kristina Millman-Rinaldi, executive director of Detroit Dog Rescue.
“It does not take long for these dogs to succumb to frostbite.”
With the organization’s shelter already hitting capacity, the non-profit is in need of temporary two-week foster homes to help keep pets out of the cold.
The organization provides food, medical care, toys, and support from a foster coordinator to those willing to temporarily take in a pet.
You can fill out a foster application here.
The non-profit is calling on the community to report any dogs left out in the cold.
If you’re concerned about a dog at a specific address, the organization can perform a welfare check.
“A lot of times when I show up for a welfare check, we see not only does the dog not have supplies, some of these homes don’t have heat in them, some of these people need help,” Millman-Rinaldi said. “From that front, we work with other non-profits to help people as well.”
For pet owners navigating the extreme cold, Detroit Dog Rescue advises against using dog jackets made of materials that can freeze when wet, recommends using paw pad balm or dog boots for paw protection, and recommends limiting outdoor time.
“Really, in this kind of cold, your dog should not be out very long,” Millman-Rinaldi said. “If you can take them outside for a quick potty break, bring them inside, that’s great.”
If you see a stray dog or a dog in danger, you can report it anonymously through a help line on Detroit Dog Rescue’s website.