A Little Outreach and a Lot of Straw Make Lander Winters Safer for Area Pets

In rural Wyoming, it’s no surprise that many people have dogs and cats living outside. But when the temperatures drop in the winter, the Lander Pet Connection often receives desperate calls for help from residents seeking temporary shelter for their outdoor pets. Last year they received at least 50. With only 20 kennels, though, LPC often has to turn these requests down, which has tragic consequences for the animals. Desperate to help, LPC came up with an outreach solution they think could help 100 dogs and cats endure Wyoming’s winter: Provide pet owners with blankets, straw, and easy to construct dog houses to protect four-legged friends from the worst conditions. LPC will also spay and neuter these pets for free (ensuring they don’t enter a cycle of having babies in the winter, when they are even more vulnerable to the elements). LOR’s funding will support the purchase of straw, tarps, water bowls and dog houses, as well as the distribution of informational pamphlets.