01/20/2026
Bishop Animal Control Services is closely monitoring the potential for extreme cold, freezing temperatures, and possible winter weather in our area. Even short periods of cold weather can be dangerous, or deadly, for pets.
Now is the time to prepare and protect your animals.
🐾 COLD WEATHER PET SAFETY TIPS
✔️ Bring pets indoors whenever possible
✔️ Provide warm, dry shelter that protects from wind, rain, and freezing temperatures
✔️ Ensure pets have clean, unfrozen water at all times
✔️ Increase food intake slightly(pets burn more energy trying to stay warm)
✔️ Keep pets dry and off cold concrete or metal surfaces
✔️ Check on pets frequently, especially overnight
🚫 Puppies, kittens, senior pets, and short haired breeds are especially vulnerable.
❄️ OUTDOOR PETS
IF your pet must remain outdoors:
• Shelter must be insulated, weatherproof, and elevated
• Bedding should be dry straw or blankets
• Shelter openings should face away from wind
• Water bowls must be checked often to ensure they are not frozen
⚖️ TEXAS LAW – EXTREME WEATHER & PETS
Under Texas Penal Code §42.092 (Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals), it is a criminal offense to fail to provide necessary care for an animal.
This includes:
• Failing to provide adequate shelter from extreme weather
• Failing to provide drinkable water
• Leaving an animal exposed to dangerous temperatures that could cause suffering, injury, or death
👉 You do NOT have to intend harm for a crime to occur.
👉 Simply failing to act can meet the elements of the offense.
Violations may result in criminal charges.
** Bishop Police patrol officers will be monitoring the city during routine patrols for hazardous conditions, INCLUDING potential animal welfare issues related to extreme cold and freezing temperatures.**
🐶 OUR GOAL
Our goal is education, prevention, and keeping pets safe! not punishment. We ask our community to plan ahead, act responsibly, and look out for animals who cannot protect themselves!
📢 If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them.
Thank you for helping keep Bishop’s pets safe!
For Animal Control, call the main line at
(361) 584-2443 and press 3.
ACO Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
FOR AN EMERGENCY DIAL 911 ☎️