Staff and volunteer supporters from TAILS Humane Society braved up to negative 18 wind-chills to draw attention to animals suffering outdoors. The gathered at Starbucks Coffee in DeKalb at 8:00 pm January 8, 2010, and three participants stuck it out until 6:00 the next morning. Throughout the night, forty community members and reporters came to show their support to demonstrators.

The event, called Freeze Out 2010, was held to raise awareness of the suffering felt by animals living outside during frigid winter weather. According to TAILS Humane Society’s Humane Investigator, Kathy Hubbard, “We respond to over a hundred abuse and neglect calls each year, and during the winter, lack of adequate housing for outdoor animals is by far the most frequent complaint.”

The three who lasted the night were coordinator Sam Lenser, Gregory Morland, and Cason Snow who stripped down to his bare necessities at midnight to experience 30 Minutes Extreme.

“It’s amazing to see the support of so many community members who turned out, throughout the night,”  said Sam Lenser, event coordinator. “Most participants spent 2 to 4 hours outside throughout the event. It was a relief to see everyone being safe and responsible while frostbite and hypothermia were such a real risk we were facing, during the early morning. My eyelashes and hair were frozen stiff, by 6 a.m.”

Sam’s description:

“Straw was available for insulation and many demonstrators took advantage of it by burying themselves in piles of straw. Thanks to Andy and his Coast Guard first aid info, all worked out, but Greg and I both got some frostbite in our feet even though we were taking LOTS of breaks in the heated tent and switching out our socks and using heat packs in our shoes.

“I also started having minor to moderate hypothermia symptoms at 6 a.m., after I lost all my keys and thanks to the info Andy provided, recognized symptoms, monitored for decline or improvement, and implemented proper measures (and was prepared to call 911 if things worsened).

“Including set-up and clean-up time, I spent 13 1/2 hrs. outside (again, with lots of breaks for small periods in heated spaces). If I hadn't been 'worst case senario' risk management type person, things could've gone very, very badly, though. Btw, we found keys, thanks to coherent Kathy sifting through all the straw we'd swept up, with Greg and I, in the last bag from the dumpster.

“I was 'passionate' about this issue, prior, I don't think there are words to call how I feel, after my empathizing experience last night, and will do event next year with a back-up plan in case of emergency “

TAILS has already begun receiving reports from community members inspired by the event, who have witnessed pets outdoors in freezing temperatures. In addition to raising awareness Freeze Out 2010 has raised over $1,800 to support the TAILS humane investigation program. Fund raisers are continuing their efforts throughout this month and donations can be made through www.firstgiving.com/tails. The goal is to reach $5,000. 

“I am very grateful to the participants who came out to show their support, to Starbucks Coffee which provided space and hot coffee and to Clifton Roy and Folkstringer which kicked off the event with great live music,” Lenser said. “Everyone who participated in the event walked away with a greater understanding of how dangerous and uncomfortable severe winter weather is for pets left outside.”

“Freeze Out 2010 was an incredible success with conditions making our message clear:  keep pets indoors in freezing conditions,” Lenser said. “While many participants braved the dangerous conditions, all were able to go home in the end. Many animals were also outdoors during the night and didn’t have the same relief, come morning.”

To report a pet being left outdoors, call TAILS’ Humane Investigation program at 815-758-2457 x 108 or email tailshumanesociety@tbc.net.  Complainants can remain anonymous.