ASPCA workers help rescue a chicken saved from flooding in Nashville, Tenn.

As Nashville residents bail out of a massive flood, volunteers and animal workers are trying to help save the animals that were also affected. Here’s information the ASPCA sent out about their work:

The ASPCA ® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ® ), under the authority and request of the Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society in Dyersburg, Tenn., has dispatched its field investigations and response team to assist in the recovery and sheltering of animals displaced by recent flooding.

ASPCA responders arrived Tuesday afternoon and are helping care for more than 70 companion animals, including dogs, cats and various birds that were rescued from floodwaters, trees, rooftops and abandoned homes in the Dyersburg city limits, approximately 80 miles north of Memphis. The ASPCA has established a temporary shelter behind the humane society to handle the overflow of animals, and set up a decontamination station where animals affected by the flooding are washed and cleaned. In addition, the ASPCA provided extra cages, bowls, food industrial fans, and other necessary supplies to help care for animals.

“Our city has been declared a disaster area and many neighborhoods have been evacuated,” said Dr. Carol Feather, president and co-founder of the Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society, which services all of Dyer County, Dyersburg and Newbern. “We’re grateful for the ASPCA’s assistance, and to our own staff and volunteers, all of whom have been working non-stop to help animals that are abandoned or lost. We want to save all the animals we can–that’s our job.”

The Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society’s animal control officers have been navigating some areas in a small motor boat to access abandoned pets. Most of the 70-plus pets received so far are owned and were removed from homes at the request of owners who were forced to evacuate. They will be housed at the humane society until they are claimed, according to Dr. Feather. Residents wishing to contact the humane society may call (731) 285-4889 or visit in person at 1120 E. Court Street, Dyersburg, 38024. Volunteers high school age and over who are interested in caring for animals at the shelter may also contact the humane society.

Allison Cardona, the ASPCA’s Director of Disaster Response, said the temporary shelter has “helped ease the strain on the already full humane society.” She added, “The Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society and its staff and volunteers have been extremely dedicated toward the pets in their community during this life-threatening event. The ASPCA will continue to provide supplies, support and manage the temporary shelter and decontamination area, an important component in this operation, as long as we’re needed.”

According to Dr. Feather, all incoming animals are given a physical exam, and if veterinary records cannot be located, they are being vaccinated as a precaution. “A few pets have already been claimed, but the rest we will be holding onto until their families get situated,” she said. “In most instances, even if they have identification, we’re not yet able to reach their owners because they’ve had to evacuate.” Dr. Feather added that the Humane Society is not charging owners for boarding or vaccinations.

In addition to the ASPCA, local businesses assisting Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society include Hollywood Feed, which provided cages, and Pet Stop, which relieved the organization of some of its adoptable pets so room could be made for incoming animals.

“We are making sure that the animals’ immediate needs are being met, and that they receive appropriate care,” said the ASPCA’s Cardona. “The ASPCA is glad to be in a position to provide relief.”

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• Pet Tales: Silly Snuggle. (Edmond)
• Owners should help dogs weather storm. (statewide)
• Plan bans human-animal hybrid. (state capitol)
• Senate adds requirements to bill on equine dentistry. (state capitol)
• Dog squeaks by with old habits. (nationwide)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

It’s not that I dislike the sentiment. Punxsutawney Phil looks cute enough when they take him out of that stump, and I have no more problem with a groundhog weatherman than a human one.

What bothers me is that Phil always sees his shadow, as he did again this morning. According to Wikipedia, the little hairball has predicted an early spring only 15 times in 114 years. That works out to about 13 percent.

I’m a warm weather person. This has been an especially hard winter with all the ice and snow, and I, for one, am ready for it to end. Although I’m not ready to take rash measures like Bill Murray’s character in the movie “Groundhog Day,” I am launching a protest against Phil until he becomes more early-spring friendly.

- Staff Writer Bryan Dean

You can check out photos from NewsOK readers here and from The Oklahoman’s staff photographers here.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

Listen to Pet Show

In other news, police in Mexico City saved 150 ferrets, and the Brits have taught crocodiles to recognize their own names. Maybe that’s not as important right now as winter weather safety, but it’s still interesting. Kind of.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

In this Feb. 2, 2009 file photo, John Griffiths, a handler of the weather-predicting groundhog Punxsutawney Phil, holds Phil in the air after removing him from his stump at Gobbler's Knob on Groundhog Day, in Punxsutawney, Pa. The state's tourism department says Phil will text his weather prediction to those who sign up to have texts sent to their mobile phones. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

The world’s most famous animal weatherman, Punxsutawney Phil, will try some new technology this Groundhog Day.

Phil will text his weather prediction to those who text “groundhog” to 247375.

Mickey Rowley, Pennsylvania’s deputy tourism secretary, said he realizes that not everyone can come to Punxsutawney for Groundhog Day, so this is a good way to get the word out.

On Feb. 2, Phil will come out of his home in the morning to make his annual prediction. If he can’t see a shadow, it means we are in for an early spring. If he sees his shadow, prepare for six more weeks of winter.

Each year, thousands of people descend on Punxsutawney in western Pennsylvania to find out whether Phil sees his shadow. Members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club pull the marmot from its hiding spot and, they say, listen for his prediction in a language they call “groundhog-ese.”

Thankfully, the text will be translated into English.

- Staff Writer Bryan Dean

It’s warm and toasty inside the Oklahoma City Zoo’s Conservation Education Center and starting at 8:00 am Friday, January 8th, it’s also a quick solution for working parents whose kids are out of school due to the severe cold. A special Cold Weather Safari Camp will be held for a cost of only $20 per child. Pick-up is available till 5:30 pm and early drop-off begins at 7:30 am. This fee is discounted over 50% from our regularly scheduled day camps as a community service during this after-holiday, unexpected cold weather snap. This means parents can make it to work in a timely manner and have a safe, fun, educational place for their children for $3 or less per hour. Age appropriate activities may include live animal encounters, crafts, stories, songs, discovery stations and much more! Children are asked to bring a sack lunch. A morning and afternoon snack will be provided. Call ahead registration is recommended, but not required. Attendance is limited to the first 100 children between the ages of 4 and 15. Call (405) 425-0218 for registration or information.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

An iguana lies frozen, or possibly just in suspended animation, on the ground at a Florida Keys park following a cold snap - Tim Chapman, Miami Herald

The iguanas, which are not native to Florida, don’t do well in the cold. With record low temperatures in the state, the reptiles are falling frozen out of the trees in Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne.

The iguanas aren’t actually frozen. They are in suspended animation, coming back to life once they warm up. However, extended cold temperatures could kill them.

- Staff Writer Bryan Dean

Severe weather conditions are expected to last through the weekend. Pets that are left outdoors without sufficient shelter can be in mortal danger quickly. Oklahoma law calls for animals to have adequate food, water and shelter. In current weather conditions, animals should be brought indoors or must have access to shelter in which they can remain warm, dry and completely out of wind. Short haired dogs, elderly animals or ones which are underweight or otherwise in poor health can be in the greatest danger. Do not leave senior pets or short-haired dogs outdoors unattended. Water bowls left outside will freeze. Pets should be offered water indoors or in areas in which a bowl cannot freeze. If pets are indoors in a carrier, do not leave the carrier too close to a heat source or fireplace. Make sure that bedding is safe and also is not near a heat source.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll