Animal Rescue League Taking In Animals Out Of The Cold
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- An older, yellow lab is just one example of why the Animal Rescue League is staying open for more than 60 hours straight.
The dog was found by Pittsburgh police officers running the streets of Lincoln-Larimer around 1:30 a.m.
"I know they are out there, it's so cold and it won't take long for them to become hypothermic, and eventually, the worst," said Mary Withrow, of the Animal Rescue League.
The lab's body temperature was okay, considering the frigid air, but she was placed on a heated blanket and given food and water. She's now out of the elements and safe.
It's a success story thanks to officers and the Animal Rescue League Shelter and Wildlife Center on Hamilton Avenue in East Liberty.
The shelter opened on Monday at 7 a.m. It won't close until 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Staff and volunteers are working extra to make sure animals, in dangerous situations, have a place to go. So far, five dogs have been brought in.
"If you see a stray, or if you are law enforcement and you have to seize an animal, we'll be here to take it in," said Withrow.
A couple of the dogs were brought in because they were found wandering around the streets. The majority though were actually seized by animal control officers.
One dog was found at a home in East Liberty with no shelter, no food, and no water.
"Bring them inside, they cannot survive this kind of weather," said Withrow.
The shelter was open for extended hours during the deep freeze earlier this morning.
During that time, six dogs and three cats were brought in.
Some of those animals were reclaimed by their owners, one was adopted. Humane officers are investing the other cases.
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