As temperatures dropped in Kentucky and Ohio, we gave free doghouses to pups who need them

This winter, as temperatures dropped and snow and ice blanketed many states across the U.S., we worked with five communities in Kentucky and Ohio to provide more than 200 sturdy, weather-resistant doghouses with bedding to families who need them.

In animal welfare, providing adequate shelter to companion animals can be a complex issue, rooted in broader challenges. But an immediate solution for an animal in need can be quite simple. Not every family can always keep their dog indoors because of circumstances such as landlord restrictions and financial challenges. But our goal is never to penalize or shame these families. Instead, we aim to support them with practical tools like doghouses, to improve animals' daily lives, while working to solve the systemic and root causes of struggles faced by animals and their families.

While it’s never ideal to leave a dog outdoors for long periods of time in extreme weather, any dog living outside should have access to a sturdy, enclosed structure with bedding such as straw or shavings for warmth. That shelter should also have a solid, raised floor to keep dogs off the cold or wet ground and protect them from wind and precipitation while also providing shade from direct sun in the summer months.

Jai Hamilton/Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control

When families get a friendly knock on their doors, with people offering doghouses free of charge, the mood is often uplifting and hopeful. In Kentucky, we worked with partner organizations—Lexington Humane Society, the Montgomery County Animal Shelter and Friends of Butler County Animals—to identify the areas where doghouse distributions are most needed. And in Ohio, we worked alongside the Fort Defiance Humane Society and Pike Pet Pals. Each of these organizations provides necessary services to animals and people alike. 

Todd Blevins/Humane World for Animals

Hard-working, animal-loving volunteers jumped right in to help build and distribute doghouses to families identified through animal services and an application process.

At distribution events, local and state representatives from both Kentucky and Ohio underscored how important the issue of adequate shelter is to them by joining the distribution effort. Their involvement helps amplify the message: Keeping animals in our communities safe is a responsibility that belongs to everyone.

Staff of animal shelter partners expressed gratitude for the program. "We are truly humbled and deeply grateful to Humane World for Animals for being selected for this incredible opportunity,” Adam Grubb, from the Montgomery County Animal Shelter in Kentucky, said. “Being entrusted to provide these doghouses to families in need means more than we can express. This support will create a real and lasting impact by helping ensure dogs in our community have safe, adequate shelter."

“Being entrusted to provide these doghouses to families in need means more than we can express. This support will create a real and lasting impact by helping ensure dogs in our community have safe, adequate shelter."” –Adam Grubb, from the Montgomery County Animal Shelter

At Humane World for Animals, we believe that the companionship and joy of having a pet should be accessible to everyone. We also wholeheartedly believe in the role we play in providing animals with the protection and care essential for their health and well-being, especially when facing dangerous weather phenomena, extreme temperatures and other environmental factors. Prolonged exposure to extreme weather can easily lead to serious health concerns such as hypothermia or frostbite in the cold months, or heatstroke and dehydration in the hot months.

Our work extends beyond immediate aid. Defining "adequate shelter" in laws helps address cruelty in situations like puppy mills or dogfighting, where animals endure far worse conditions. We are not focused on punishing individuals facing difficult circumstances, but on creating clearer standards that protect all animals through education, outreach and enforcement.

Only a minority of U.S. states have detailed definitions of adequate shelter in animal cruelty laws, while seven states (Alaska, Kentucky, Georgia, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico and North Carolina) don’t require an owner to provide shelter at all. Still others have laws that are vague on this issue, which create enforcement obstacles. Our Animal Cruelty campaign and State Affairs team work nationwide to clarify and define adequate shelter for dogs who live outside.

Good laws go hand in hand with meaningful community outreach. Raising awareness about why adequate shelter is important reverberates beyond the animals who are now sleeping warmly tonight. It ensures more animals sleep safely tomorrow. Strong and clear laws around protecting animals paired with community support, donations, volunteering and compassionate reporting can save lives and help keep families and pets together.

So, if you see a dog in need of better shelter, especially during extreme weather, you can reach out to your local animal shelter to see what can be provided in terms of supplies, information, bedding or other assistance for the family. Acknowledging that the well-being of companion animals is linked to the well-being and support of people is part of how we can achieve the truly humane world that is at the center of our vision.

Kitty Block is president and CEO of Humane World for Animals. Follow Kitty Block.