BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. — As temperatures plummet below freezing this Monday night, local animal shelters and agencies are urging residents to remember that their pets feel the cold just as much as they do.

Ashley Harden, the Adoptions and Intake Coordinator for Beaufort County Animal Services and the Hilton Head Humane Society, was seen cradling a small dog in her arms on Monday while discussing the issue.

The dog had been discovered over the weekend, roaming alone as night fell and temperatures approached freezing levels.

“This little one was found wandering in Beaufort County, without a family, and exposed to the cold,” Harden explained. “Thankfully, Beaufort County Animal Services was able to bring him inside before he turned into a popsicle.”

Thanks to the swift action of Beaufort County Animal Services, the dog was sheltered from the freezing temperatures and has since been happily reunited with its owners.

County animal officials said many other dogs were also picked up this weekend as a precaution to the freezing temperatures.

Dozens of dogs were also transported from Jasper County Animal Services shelter, whose kennels are located outdoors.

“Due to the recent extreme cold, Jasper Animal Services had to move dogs that were housed outdoors into safer, warmer environments,” Director for Beaufort County Animal Services Tallulah McGee said in a statement. “While insulated dog houses were provided, the severity of the cold required additional action to protect their well-being.”

McGee said more than 32 dogs were transported out of Jasper County for emergency shelter.

“On Saturday, our community stepped up in an incredible way. Many dogs were fostered locally, Hilton Head Humane Society was able to clear out a ward to take in several dogs, and the remaining seven dogs were transferred to Beaufort County,” said McGee in a continued statement.

At the same time, the Beaufort County animal shelter is continuing to take in dogs during the cold weather. Officials said that it included a significant number of puppies and adult dogs.  

To prevent more from coming in, they asked that residents with an outdoor dog during the cold weather be moved indoors.

“It’s so important.  I mean, if it’s too cold for you to be outside, it’s definitely too cold for them,” said Harden.

Officials said they also like to speak to the sentiment they hear from many people that a pet’s fur coat means they’re safe in the cold.

“Just because they have fur doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re equipped to be outside,” said Harden. “There are certain breeds that are meant to be in cold weather, but if they’re not used to being in cold weather, their body gets acclimated to what they’ve been in. Then there are other dogs that are just single coat.  So, they don’t have any insulation.  Their fur is just kind of like their skin, just like us, like wearing a t shirt outside.”

According to the county animal services, it’s not only important to bring dogs in during extreme conditions, but it’s the law in Beaufort County.

Any adverse weather, including cold temperatures, requires owners to bring their pets in for safety, or else they can be faced with penalties and fines.

The shelter said in a social media post:

“Beaufort County law states:

No animal shall be restrained or tethered during any named tropical storm, named hurricane, or any adverse weather expected to impact Beaufort County.

With the current extreme cold and dangerous wind chills, this law applies.

If you need a crate or temporary assistance to bring your dog indoors for one or two nights, please reach out now. We are giving owners the opportunity to do the right thing and keep their animals safe.

Moving forward, citations will be issued for violations.”

You can report dogs left in the cold by contacting the shelter at (843) 255-5010 or messaging them through their Facebook page. All reports are anonymous.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) donated 80 large crates to the county shelter for residents who may need a place to cage their animals inside during the cold weather.

It’s free to residents, and you can text Beaufort County Animal Services at 843-812-2413 to reserve pick-up for a crate.

Pickup locations include:

• Beaufort Animal Services at 10 Pritcher Point, Okatie, SC

• Jasper Animal Services at 1352 Carters Mill Road, Ridgeland, SC

Because of the intake from the cold weather, the county shelter is also looking for additional foster homes from the community.

“If you are able to foster, even temporarily, it would make a tremendous difference,” said McGee. “Spay and neuter support remains critically important as well to help prevent future overcrowding.”