Animal shelter prioritizes pet care through winter
Published 1:00 pm Wednesday, December 31, 2025
With its low temperatures and other inclement weather conditions, winter can be tough on the general population.
It can be even more challenging for animals in need of care.
Thus, throughout the month, Clark County Animal Shelter has prioritized the needs of furry friends throughout the community.
Often using Facebook as a means of social media communication, the county-operated, open intake facility located at 5000 Ironworks Road has provided advice, explained how they assist, and more.
Just before the start of December, a post was made online, explaining that the facility was offering winter cat houses & straw.
“Straw and Winter Cat Houses available outside the shelter while supplies last. Feel free to stop by and grab what you need. Please remember these items are only available thanks to wonderful donors and volunteers that want to make sure every animal is safe and warm this winter. The supply is limited, please only take what you need.
If you take a winter cat house, understand these require a lot of work and cost money to put together. They are not disposable. Keep them and reuse them!”, it stated.
“A limited number of doghouses are also available by request as well as wire crates if you are willing to bring your outdoor pet inside during the cold temps. We also have tarps if you have a dog in a kennel or small fenced area and need to create a windbreak or add additional protection from weather.”
By December 1, they were already reporting that the first batch of straw was gone, a sign that many had taken advantage of the Shelter’s offer.
“We hope to have more available after the weather front moves through,” they posted.
Shortly after celebrating “Friends of the Clark County Animal Shelter, Inc.’s” success at the Bluegrass Gives fundraiser, the Shelter announced that shipping coolers or styrofoam drink coolers were needed.
These would be used to make winter cat houses.
On Tuesday, December 9, the shelter clarified the differences between hay and straw, allowing others to see how it benefits the animals.
“Hay is dried forage that is fed to animals that would normally eat grass such as livestock. There are different types of hay that can be fed depending on the animal species or dietary needs. Hay is not ideal for bedding because it holds moisture and will quickly mold or rot if it gets wet.
Straw is hollow and has basically no nutritional value. If someone is trying to feed straw, the animals usually will not eat it and if they do, they are still starving. Straw is great for bedding because it is hollow and doesn’t hold moisture.”
That same day, a longer post gave additional advice for winter.
“Now is the time to prepare and make plans to protect your pets.
Chained, caged, and confined animals are most susceptible to cold temperatures.
Be sure your pet has a dry, warm place to get…out of the weather. In extreme temperatures(,) it would be recommended to bring pets indoors, into a home or even just a barn or garage where they have a windbreak and a doghouse with bedding inside for warmth.
Your pet must have access to a sturdy shelter (roof, 4 walls and a floor) and that shelter must have organic bedding (straw) not towels or blankets. If your pet is in any non-heated area like a garage or barn they still need access to shelter such as a doghouse to keep their body heat contained.
Be sure that the area your pet is housed (in) is dry and free from standing water. A layer of straw should be spread to cover muddy spots. Being wet can cause frostbite or hypothermia.
While outdoors(,) be sure that your pet can move around freely to generate body heat.
Stack flakes or bales of straw around your pet’s shelter to create insulation. Fill the shelter with fluffed straw so your bed can burrow down into it to make a nest.
Be sure that the shelter is placed in the best area to block wind and weather with the opening facing away from the wind. Being placed on a certain side of a structure and right against the structure can be helpful.
If your pet has an enclosure such as a chain link kennel, use tarps and straw to create windbreaks. Tightly stretch and zip-tie tarps around chain link kennels to create a barrier from wind and precipitation.
Provide constant access to fresh, unfrozen water and plenty of quality food.
We will provide a crate if you will bring your outside pet indoors during bad weather!
Straw is available for pickup outside the shelter gate.
A limited number of doghouses are available by SCHEDULED pickup only.
A limited number of tarps are available by request.
Call (859)737-0053 to request assistance!
Calling us for assistance means that we provide help with preparing your pets for the weather. If we receive a complaint from someone else and find your pets without the needed resources you may be criminally charged with animal neglect. Take action and take care of your pets.”
On December 26, the post was published again, as the weather took a turn immediately after a warmer-than-average Christmas day.
Posts dedicated to proper winter care are just one of several ways the Clark County Animal Shelter provides assistance.
In addition, dog spay & neuter appointments are available, with individuals able to come in anytime Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to fill out paperwork and make an appointment.
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