Pets

As an arctic cold front barrels toward Southeast Texas, animal welfare leaders are urging residents to prepare now—especially when it comes to pets left outdoors. Houston SPCA is calling on pet owners across the Greater Houston area to take immediate steps to protect animals as freezing temperatures, icy conditions and dangerous wind chills are expected to arrive Friday night and persist through the weekend, according to the latest briefing from the National Weather Service Houston/Galveston office.

Forecasters say confidence is increasing that parts of the region could see freezing rain as early as Friday evening, with frigid temperatures lasting into early next week. Wind chills are expected to dip into the teens across much of the area, with even colder conditions possible north of Houston. Hard freezes are likely Saturday and Sunday nights, creating not only hazardous travel conditions, but life-threatening risks for animals left exposed to the elements.

Against that backdrop, Houston SPCA is emphasizing both preparedness and accountability under Texas’ Safe Outdoor Dogs Act, an anti-cruelty law that went into effect in 2021 and strengthened protections for dogs living outdoors.

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What the Law Requires—Especially During Extreme Cold

The Safe Outdoor Dogs Act gives local authorities, including Houston SPCA and Harris County officials, greater discretion to intervene when dogs are found in dangerous conditions. One key change removed the mandatory 24-hour warning period, allowing swift action when an animal’s health or safety is at risk.

Under the law, pet owners must ensure that dogs left outdoors have:

• Adequate shelter: A clean, sturdy structure that protects from rain, sleet, snow, wind and extreme temperatures, and is large enough for the dog to stand, turn around and lie down normally.

• Potable water: Continuous access to drinkable, unfrozen water.

• Protection from extreme weather: Including subfreezing temperatures clarified by the law as inclement weather.

• Proper restraint: Tethers must be at least 10 feet long or five times the dog’s body length, whichever is greater, and cannot be chains or weighted restraints. Collars or harnesses must fit properly and not cause pain or injury.

While dogs are still legally allowed to be tethered outdoors, that is only permissible if all of these conditions are met. Exceptions exist for activities such as hunting, agriculture, or brief unattended periods necessary to complete a task, but authorities stress that extreme weather significantly raises the bar for what is considered humane.

(Source: Houston SPCA)

Why This Weekend Matters

According to the National Weather Service briefing issued Tuesday, freezing rain may impact areas from the Piney Woods through the Houston metro, with the highest risk north of the city. Frigid air is expected to settle in Saturday through Monday, and wind chills may not climb above freezing until Monday afternoon in some locations.

Houston SPCA warns that these conditions can quickly become deadly for outdoor pets, particularly seniors, puppies, short-haired breeds, and animals with health issues.

In a winter safety alert, the organization strongly recommends bringing all companion animals indoors during a freeze whenever possible. If pets must remain outside, owners are urged to increase food intake by 25 to 50 percent, provide dry, elevated shelter with added insulation like blankets or hay, and use plastic—not metal—food and water bowls to prevent freezing and injury.

The organization also reminds residents to check car hoods before starting vehicles, as outdoor cats often seek warmth there, and to watch closely for signs of hypothermia such as shivering, lethargy, shallow breathing or weakness.

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When and How to Report Concerns

Houston SPCA emphasizes that community members play a critical role in protecting vulnerable animals during severe weather. If a dog appears to be left without adequate shelter, water, or protection from freezing temperatures, a cruelty report may be warranted.

Residents can report animals in immediate distress by calling 713-869-SPCA (7722) or submit reports online at HoustonSPCA.org/report. The organization encourages residents to save and share its Safe Outdoor Dogs Act graphic as a reference tool to help determine when a report is appropriate.

As Southeast Texas braces for one of the coldest weekends of the season, Houston SPCA’s message is clear: preparation saves lives, and protecting pets from the cold is not just compassionate—it’s the law.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.