You've brought in the hoses, packed away the rakes, wheelbarrows and watering cans, have the snow shovel leaning by the back door, and we are ready for the white stuff.
Are our animals ready for winter, and if not, what are we planning to do to get them ready?
We need to ensure our pets and livestock are prepared to get through the cold and snowy times in the best shape possible.
If our dogs are housed outside, that facility must be weather sound. That means caulking gaps in the walls, checking the roof for leaks and ensuring there's sufficient straw to lock in their body heat when they bury into its depth. We cannot expect our canines to survive without such housing.
The same can be said for outdoor cats. They need an entry door to a garage, shed or similar structure where they can gain access to a dry and warm environment as well as food, water and a litter box. Cats are not going to hunt mice during the winter and need to be fed a quality cat food.
Our cows and horses need protection from the elements that is not provided by trees alone, as well as access to water, which can be readily available from heated water troughs. They cannot survive pawing through snow for the remnants of last summer's hay crop.
Now is the time to obtain our winter supply of hay. We can contact our local feed or pet store for the name and location of a supplier. Store the hay on either wood pallets or similar ground base to prevent moisture from seeping into the bottom layer.
Stack the hay alternatively as you would blocks of wood about six to eight feet. Any higher and the stack will become top heavy and tend to fall over with the potential of the hay being ruined. Cover the hay with a quality tarp and tie it down to the pallets.
Consider a motion-sensor noise device to scare away moose, which will come calling for their free meal and create a mess in the process.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) took on the task as overseer of animal welfare decades ago and has an impressive prosecution track record against those who treat animals inhumanely. A call to its hot line will start an investigation against people not providing proper care for their animals.
SPCA constables team with the RCMP in an inquiry, tracking the facts quickly to provide the necessary legal tools to rescue mistreated animals.
Rural Crime Watch (RCW) believes all those who care for animals have the best interest of their charges at heart, but sometimes just forget. If you can't afford animals or don't want to spend the money caring for them, consider finding others who can or contact the SPCA. If you have information regarding animal cruelty, contact the RCMP.
Prepare yourself and animals for a great time in our winter wonderland, and if you have questions, contact your feed/pet store staff or RCW at www.ruralcrimewatch.com.