Animals need to be kept warm and cozy in the winter: animal protection experts

This winter especially animal protection experts are urging viewers to make sure their pets keep warm enough. Cats, dogs and other animals can all be hurt by getting too cold. Animal protection laws stipulate some heavy fines for those who don''t take necessary steps to keep their furry companions healthy.

It''s a cold day and this Shiba Inu is wrapped up in a blanket, looking snug as a bug.

Two cats rest by a heater and soon doze off. Cats and dogs like to keep warm too.

Hsu Ting-chen
Pet Spa consultant
Basically Chihuahuas and short-haired dogs and cats need to wear more clothes. In winter it''s like with us humans having short or long hair. In this weather we may need to wear more, or put on a hat.

Short-haired animals can wear clothes or cuddle under blankets to stay warm. Taipei City''s regulations on basic care for cats and dogs stipulate that owners can be fined for keeping animals in conditions under 10 degrees Celsius. That shocks this dog owner.

Ms. Chien
Pet owner
That would be so unfair. Because he wouldn''t find it that cold. He doesn''t like wearing clothes. I think that''s a bit of a strange law. It depends on the breed of dog.

She says her Shiba Inu is fine with his three types of fur, and gets cross when dressed up. But she still puts a coat on him for rainy day walks. Meanwhile, even fish can get too cold.

An extra heating element has been placed in this tank to keep the temperature under control and the fish happy. Taipei City Animal Protection Office points out there are animal protection laws for all types of animals.

Voice of Lin Ting-chun
Taipei City Animal Protection Office
There are different laws concerning animals that get sick or injured or even die, due to cold temperatures. In a case of negligence the maximum fine is NT$75,000, but if you''ve already received a warning, or if it leads to an animal''s death, then the animals could be removed.

Animal protection experts urge the public to keep a close eye on the animals in their care. It''s a cold winter for everyone, human and non-human alike.