When the temperatures drop to the upper teens and harsh winter weather shows up, animal welfare organizations and agricultural safety specialists warn of significant risks to pets and livestock. The primary risks include exposure to harsh wind and wet conditions, limited access to potable water, and unsafe attempts to heat barns, coops, and outdoor shelters.
Brutal conditions during recent weekends and the possibility of more winter weather before spring breaks through means providing extra care for livestock and pets. The combination of low temps, super low wind chills and frozen precipitation can overwhelm animals more quickly than low temperatures alone. Wind strips away body heat, and wet conditions compromise the insulation provided by fur, feathers, wool, and bedding.
For household pets, the Humane Society advises bringing animals indoors during frigid weather and keeping cats inside, as outdoor cats may seek warmth in perilous places, such as car engine compartments. Similarly, PETA encourages pet owners to limit their dogs and cats’ outdoor time to necessary bathroom breaks and short, supervised activities during extreme cold.
Cold-weather veterinarians and animal care organizations typically recommend shorter walks, promptly drying dogs if they get wet, checking their paws for irritation from ice and salt, and watching for early signs of cold stress—such as shivering, anxiety, weakness, or reluctance to move.
Local regulations in the CSRA do not state, “17 degrees means your dog must be inside.” Instead, enforcement generally focuses on whether pets have adequate food, drinkable water and shelter that shields them from suffering. The Augusta Code of Ordinances outlines minimum care expectations for outdoor animals, including requirements for proper shelter and protection from the elements.
Leaving an animal outside without adequate windbreaks and a weatherproof enclosure can lead to enforcement issues if the animal’s welfare is jeopardized. In South Carolina, Aiken County Code Enforcement addresses complaints related to stray and injured animals, welfare checks, neglect, cruelty concerns, barking complaints, and tethering violations—meaning that weather-related welfare issues are within residents’ reporting scope.
For livestock producers and smallholders, cold tolerance varies by species, age, body condition, acclimatization, and ability to remain dry. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service defines livestock shelter as a means of protection from extreme environmental conditions like wind and cold. Producers often find that a solid windbreak, deep dry bedding, and unfrozen water are more critical than attempting to heat an entire barn. Adult cattle and horses can withstand temperatures as low as 17°F if they are dry, sheltered from the wind, and receiving enough food to generate internal heat.
However, animals that are thin, sick, very young, recently transported, or not acclimated to cold conditions may need immediate shelter and closer monitoring. Goats and sheep are particularly vulnerable to damp cold, as their insulation is compromised when their fleece gets wet. Pigs, especially piglets, also lose heat rapidly and typically require deep bedding and a draft-free “creep” area. Poultry fare better in a dry, well-ventilated coop with controlled drafts at roost height; sealing a coop too tightly can trap moisture and ammonia, leading to respiratory stress and frostbite risks, even when temperatures are not extreme.
While heating barns, sheds, and coops is feasible, it comes with fire and air quality risks. Agricultural safety guidelines from various Extension safety programs emphasize that heat lamps are a common ignition source in livestock areas due to combustible bedding, hay, dust, and cobwebs. If supplemental heat is deemed essential for newborns, safety guidance typically emphasizes using a lamp with a protective guard, securing it with a nonflammable chain (not twine), keeping it away from bedding and animals, avoiding oversized bulbs, and regularly inspecting cords and outlets. Electric stock-tank de-icers and heated water buckets can help mitigate dehydration risks, but they must have intact cords and protected outlets; ground-fault protection is standard safety protocol in wet barn environments. Unvented combustion heaters (such as propane or kerosene “torpedo” and cabinet heaters) can introduce carbon monoxide and moisture into enclosed spaces. Therefore, many farm safety programs recommend avoiding their use in animal housing unless proper ventilation and manufacturer clearances are meticulously followed.
For community cats and strays, welfare groups provide straightforward advice: bring them into a secure, enclosed area if it can be done safely, but do not risk injury attempting to rescue them. If handling the cat is not feasible, temporary shelters can help alleviate their suffering. PETA recommends creating simple outdoor cat shelters made from readily available materials. If you see a stray dog or cat during this cold snap, animal agencies recommend a predictable playbook: take a photo, note the location and time, avoid chasing, and call local animal control or dispatch. If the animal is friendly and you can confine it without risk, a garage, laundry room, or crate away from your own animals can buy time until officers or a shelter can respond. If the animal is injured, aggressive, or in immediate danger (near traffic, stuck in fencing, or showing signs of severe hypothermia), call 911.
Georgia
Augusta Animal Services (706) 790-6836
Columbia County Animal Services (706) 541-4077
Burke County Animal Services (762) 225-6462
McDuffie County Animal Services (phone listed on the county page)
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (478) 625-7538
Lincoln County (animal complaints are commonly routed through law enforcement/non-emergency): (706) 359-4118
Glascock County (animal complaints are commonly routed through law enforcement/non-emergency): (706) 598-2881
South Carolina
North Augusta Animal Control (803) 441-4298 (business hours), (803) 441-4200 (after hours)
Aiken County Animal Shelter (803) 642-1537
Aiken County Animal Enforcement (county service line listed on the page; animal complaints handled through Animal Enforcement/Animal Services)
Barnwell County Animal Shelter (803) 259-1656
Humane Society of McCormick County (864) 391-2349
Allendale County animal control dispatch line (as posted by the county shelter): (803) 584-8151
Nick Lovett is an independent journalist with over 20 years of experience in news media and marketing. A former writer for Aiken Standard and Fort Gordon’s Signal newspaper, she focuses on human interest stories that highlight resilience, community and positive change.
