OC Animals Left Out In the Cold

I have never given much though to the fact that the people in Orange County, specifically Laguna Niguel would have to be reminded to take care of their animals.  

Common sense would dictate that during these chilly snaps you would put your dogs inside and shelter them from the very cold weather we are having.  Unfortunately common sense is not all that common. 

The Mission Vijeo Animal Shelter said the law states that you have to provide food and shelter.  Shelter means anything - a plastic covering, a lean-to, a plastic dog crate and no specific dialogue as to what this "shelter" should consist of.

For years my neighbor's two large dogs used a child's plastic kitchen set as their shelter.  Since they remodeled their home, the dogs now have access to two plastic travel crates that they do not use because the dogs have never been crate trained.

Dialogue is not possible with this family.  The OC ASPCA sent them a very nice letter offering to take the dogs off their hands but this only enraged them more.  

We need to examine the dialogue on the ordinaces here in OC and make sure that it stipulates that shelter is provided based on temperature changes (hot and cold) and that these animals are not left out in the freezing cold because their owners do not think of them as part of their family.

Lets collectively put our heads together here to try to come up with ordinance revisions that make sure care appropriately and kindly for the animals we choose to have in our lives.

Happy New Year!