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Knoxville, Tennessee – As winter cold lingers across the Tennessee Valley into February, animal welfare experts are urging pet owners throughout eastern Tennessee, northern Alabama, and southern Kentucky to take added precautions as prolonged cold conditions continue to pose risks for pets. While the region is known for milder winters compared to the Midwest, extended cold spells combined with wind, rain, and occasional snow can still be dangerous for animals.
According to the American Red Cross, pets should be brought indoors as much as possible during extended cold periods. Animals left outside are vulnerable to hypothermia and frostbite, particularly overnight and during early morning hours when temperatures drop the most. Damp conditions common in the Tennessee Valley can increase heat loss, making even brief outdoor exposure hazardous. Cold weather can also make parked vehicles unsafe, as they can trap frigid air and endanger pets left inside, even briefly…