Extreme Weather

Don't forget outdoor pets:

Owners should not forget outdoor pets when the nights turn nasty. They need plenty of bedding and their enclosures should be moved into a shed or garage for shelter. Horses and ponies must always have access to shelter and will need fresh water, a rug and extra food.

Checking ponds:

Those who own ponds should check them every day to ensure the water has not frozen. If it has, place a saucepan of hot water on the surface to gently melt the ice, or use one of the products available from garden centres to maintain an air hole through which pond dwellers can breathe. Never smash the ice as this can shock and kill fish.

Caring for pets:

"People need to take special care of their pets at this time of year and, in particular, when sub-zero temperatures are due to set in", says RSPCA veterinary spokesman David McDowell.

Garden birds:

Garden birds can also suffer during the winter months when food and water sources dry up. As temperatures drop, birds find it more difficult to find natural food like berries, insects, seeds, worms and fruit. By leaving out food like stale cake, moist breadcrumbs, seeds, sultanas, biscuits, cooked rice and bacon rind for them to eat they will be able to survive the cold snap. Wild birds aren't fussy and will even eat cooked rice, pasta, pastry and potatoes as well as grated or crumbled cheese.

Fruit, like bruised apples and pears, will go down a treat with Blackbirds and Thrushes - and could attract fieldfares and redwings, winter visitors from Scandinavia. Dried fruit should be soaked in water before scattering outside. Fresh coconut in the shell is a great favourite with tits, but don't leave desiccated coconut out as it will swell up in birds' stomachs.

Wild bird seed is also good for attracting finches and dunnocks.

However you choose to feed wild birds leave food well away from bushes and trees as cats love to pounce from these. Food left out late in the day may attract rats and mice. Also clean tables and feeders regularly with mild disinfectant to reduce the chances of disease.

Water is essential - any shallow, stable container will do as a bird-bath.  Just make sure it stays clean and is regularly filled with fresh water for the birds to drink and bathe in.

Anyone seeing an animal in difficulty can contact the RSPCA on 08705 555 999. Calls are charged at a national rate.