If it's too cold for you, it's too cold for your pets

BERGEN COUNTY, N.J. (WABC) -- In freezing weather you hear people say to check on your neighbors, but it's also important to check on pets too.

Animal Control reports finding a number of animals left outdoors this week in the dangerous cold.

Ivory is by all accounts a happy, friendly, active, adorable young lab retriever. But she was also found living outside during the bitter cold wave and rescued by the Bergen County SPCA so she can be kept warm.

"We don't want to take people's pets, that's not our objective, our objective is to make sure that they have the proper care and the shelter that they need in extreme temperatures. And, it's not just the winter, sometimes it's the summer too with the extreme heat," said Deputy Chief Roni Wildoner, of the Bergen County SPCA.

So far, animal control authorities have saved half a dozen animals in the county who have been exposed to dangerously frigid conditions. Owners can be fined up to $500 depending on the animal's health and welfare.

"Lots of people don't want to be bad neighbors but, let's think of the animals and go take a look. It's just five minutes out of our time and we might as well just go take a look," said Kim Nagle, an animal control expert.

Local experts have safety tips for animal owners including: making sure your pet has fresh clean water, not frozen, to prevent dehydration. They also need an appropriate size shelter with enough room to tune around. They can use dog houses with flaps to keep out the cold air, snow and rain, and finally elevated, soft dry bedding. If Ivory's owner can follow those rules, there is a chance she can return home.

Animal experts say there is one rule you should remember: if it's too cold for you, it's probably too cold for your pets.