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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:24.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Cold Weather Pooch Protection<o:p></o:p></span></b></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"'><br>1/6/2016 3:14:00 PM<br><br><b>For more information, contact: </b><br>Linda Lowe, Public Information Officer, Department of the Environment/301-883-5952<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='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center'><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>If it's too cold for you, it's too cold for your pets!</span></i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><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"'>Cold weather can pose serious threats to the health of your four-legged family members, which is why it’s highly recommendedto keep your pets inside. But when you do take them out for a walk or the potty, the Prince George’s County Animal Management Division encourages pet owners to closely monitor their pets’ exposure to the winter elements and provides the following tips to help keep your pooch healthy and warm.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><br></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><img width=524 height=390 id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:image003.jpg@01D14934.9F94C830" alt="http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/sites/EnvironmentalResources/PublishingImages/cold%20weather%20pets.jpg"></span><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>your dog stays outdoors in cold weather, County law requires the following:</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 lfo1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>A doghouse of proper size that is dry, draft free and raised off the ground;<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>A wind flap attached to the doghouse to keep cold air out and warm air in;<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Bedding that is non-absorbent such as straw or wood shavings to help keep the dog warm; 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 lfo1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Routinely 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 style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Other cold weather safety tips include:</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:l1 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:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Increase the amount of their food; outdoor dogs need more calories in the winter to produce body heat.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Never let your dog off their leash in the snow or ice; they can become disoriented and lost, even in a familiar place. Be sure your pet has an ID tag, microchip and sturdy leash.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Wipe your pet’s paws after an outing with a wet cloth to remove any ice or chemicals used to melt snow on sidewalks that can irritate their paws. Salt can irritate or burn, as well as cause vomiting and in some pets, can even cause seizures. Antifreeze has a sweet, attractive smell to pets and can be deadly if ingested.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Keep your pets indoors during freezing temperatures. If left unattended outdoors they can get frostbite or become disorientated and freeze to death. Hypothermia can result from extended exposure to cold and is a life-threatening condition.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Don’t leave your pet in a closed car in the winter because it can be just as deadly as in the summer.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>If you have bunnies who live outside, make sure they have a warm, dry hutch with plenty of bedding that is out of the wind. Water is important too as is some extra food. Cover the hutch with a tarp. <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on your car hood before starting the engine to give them a chance to escape. Cats like to seek shelter from the cold and can be under the hood of your car.<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><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>For more information about pet care contact the Animal Services Facility at (301) 780-7200. To view the many homeless animals available for adoption, visit <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYwMTA2LjUzNDY0NTAxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MDEwNi41MzQ2NDUwMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3NTYzMjg3JmVtYWlsaWQ9YWxob2x0QGNvLnBnLm1kLnVzJnVzZXJpZD1hbGhvbHRAY28ucGcubWQudXMmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&100&&&http://www.princegeorgespets4us.com/"><span style='color:blue'>www.princegeorgespets4us.com</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><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></div></body></html>