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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">PRESS RELEASE</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">For immediate release:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">December 15, 2016<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">For more information, contact:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Linda Lowe<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Public Information Officer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Prince George's County<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Department of the Environment<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">(301) 883-5952<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Winter Safety Tips for your Pets</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Tips to help keep your dog or cat safe in cold weather</span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><img width="416" height="277" style="width:4.3333in;height:2.8854in" id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/MDPGC/2016/12/1139138/snowdog_original.jpg" alt="Snowdog"></span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">LARGO, MD</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> – When the weather outside is frightful, your pets probably think so too and when
temperatures drop, it can be dangerous to have them outside. The Prince George’s County Animal Management Division (AMD) recommends pet owners keep their animals indoors when it’s cold outside and closely monitor their exposure to winter elements.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">“If you notice a dog or cat that has been left outdoors for a long period of time or a pet owner violating County law, just like anything else, if you see something, say
something,” says AMD Chief Rodney Taylor. But if your pet must stay outdoors, County law requires you to provide the following protection:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">A dog house of appropriate size that is dry, draft free and elevated off the ground;
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">A wind flap attached to the door of the dog house to keep cold air out and warm air in;
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Non-absorbent bedding like straw or wood shavings to help keep the dog warm; and
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Frequently check your pet’s drinking water to make sure it is not frozen and use a secured container to prevent tipping.
<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Other cold weather safety tips to keep your pets healthy and happy:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Keep kittens and puppies under six months, and small or short-haired dogs inside;<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Make sure pets don't have access to antifreeze, which is toxic but can taste sweet to cats and dogs;<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Increase your pet's protein to help keep the pet's fur healthy;<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Don’t let your dog off its leash in the snow or ice; they can easily become lost when they are running loose;
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Never allow your pet to walk on icy ponds, even if they appear completely frozen over;<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Make sure your pet always wears ID tags and is microchipped;<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Wipe or dry your pet’s feet, legs, and stomach when they come in out of the sleet, snow or ice. Consider dressing your pet in specially made coats or sweaters; some pet owners also use booties
or other shoe-like foot protection; and<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Never leave your pet in a closed car in the winter because cold cars become a refrigerator and put your pet at risk.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">As for other animals that live outside such as horses and cattle, Taylor says there's probably no reason for passersby to be concerned about their welfare.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">“Livestock tends to be pretty hearty and cattle and horses do get a pretty thick coat in the wintertime,” says Taylor. “All of those animals are fairly acclimated to the
cold weather and most farmers in this area know they need shelter and a heated water tank to make sure those animals have access to fresh, unfrozen water.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">For more information about cold weather safety tips or if you’re searching for the perfect pet to keep warm in your home, contact the Animal Services Facility at (301) 780-7200
or visit <a href="http://www.princegeorgespets4us.com"><span style="color:blue">www.princegeorgespets4us.com</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"># # #
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Harlow Solid Italic"">Jessica<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif">Jessica E. Barnes<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif">Town Clerk<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif">Riverdale Park<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif">5008 Queensbury Road<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif">Riverdale Park, MD 20737<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif"><a href="http://www.riverdaleparkmd.info/">www.riverdaleparkmd.info</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif">301-927-6381<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p></p>
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