RICHMOND, Va. -- The weather in Virginia is about to take a turn for the cold -- the very cold -- the freezing cold.
Our coldest day in this bitterly cold stretch will be on Sunday, with highs only reaching the mid 20s despite full sunshine. The record cold high temperature for February 15 is 24 degrees from 1943, so we will be very close to that record Sunday. Temperatures will fall into the single digits Monday morning, and Richmond will likely tie the 110-year old record low of 7 degrees for that date.
Whenever the temperature dips that low, it is important to make sure your friends and loved one are safe and in comfortable situations. That includes your four-legged friends. The Virginia Animal Control Association (VACA) has urged pet owners to take extra precautions with their animals during this arctic blast.
"Access to shelter is vitally important as temperatures fall below freezing for much of the state," Virginia Animal Control Association president Rob Leinberger said. "Virginia law requires the provision of adequate shelter for companion animals. Under the law, adequate shelter includes protection from the adverse effects of heat or cold."
Other items the VACA would like you to consider include:
- The VACA encourages you to bring the animal indoors.
- If you have an outside pet, add more insulation to the shelter, such as straw or other bedding, to help protect against the extreme cold.
- Check outside water sources frequently as they’ll be quick to freeze.
- Outdoor pets need more calories during extreme cold to help stay warm. Check with your veterinarian about a proper diet.
- VACA recommends protection from the extreme cold for agricultural animals, too.
"Failure to provide adequate shelter could result in removal of the animal and neglect or cruelty charges with convictions bringing fines and/or a jail sentence," Leinberger said. "If you suspect animal neglect or cruelty, please call your local animal control agency as soon as possible."
Get the WTVR mobile app (Android or iPhone) on your phone or tablet to keep track of the winter weather.
