As winter storms blanket the New York metropolitan area in snow and ice and temperatures plunge below freezing, most of us retreat indoors. Wildlife and abandoned domestic animals do not have that luxury. In these unforgiving conditions, survival often hinges on small human decisions — where we shovel, what we spread on our driveways, and whether we pause long enough to help.
Even the products we use matter. Traditional rock salt and chemical ice melts burn paws, damage skin, and contaminate waterways, harming wildlife and companion animals alike. Choosing eco-friendly, pet-safe alternatives — including beet-based ice melt mixtures — reflects a commitment to ahimsa, the principle of minimizing harm wherever possible.
Many animals survive winter by hibernating or brumating, while others seek refuge beneath brush piles, under decks, or inside sheds to escape wind and snow. As you clear your property, be mindful not to dismantle these fragile sanctuaries. What looks like a pile of leaves may be preserving a life – or even a family.
Natural water sources often freeze during prolonged cold snaps. Heated water bowls can prevent freezing and provide essential hydration. During extended storms, offering species-appropriate food can help wildlife when natural forage is buried beneath snow.
One thing we should never use — in any season — is rodenticide. As temperatures drop and food disappears, mice and other rodents enter homes for the same reasons we seek shelter: warmth and survival. They are not acting out of malice; they are trying to avoid freezing to death. These poisons cause prolonged, agonizing deaths and rarely stop with their intended target.
Rodenticides kill hawks, owls, foxes, and even companion animals who consume contaminated prey. In winter, when predators are already struggling, secondary poisoning can devastate local ecosystems. Sealing entry points and securing food sources is both more humane and more effective.
If you find injured wildlife, contact trained professionals. In New York City, reach out to Wild Bird Fund. In Nassau County and western Suffolk, contact the Wildlife Center of Long Island. On the East End, the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center provides critical care. Well-intentioned but untrained intervention can cause harm.
Abandoned domestic animals face even greater risks. Community cats depend on insulated shelters packed with straw — not hay or blankets, which trap moisture — along with consistent access to unfrozen food and water.
Domestic ducks are especially vulnerable. Unlike wild waterfowl, they cannot fly or migrate and are entirely dependent on human care. Yet every winter, they are abandoned at ponds and parks and left to freeze or starve — victims of the mistaken belief that they can fend for themselves. In reality, domestic ducks are as different from wild ducks as house cats are from tigers. Muscovies, in particular, are native to Central America and are not adapted to our northern climate. Just this week, we amputated the foot of a Muscovy duck who suffered severe frostbite during the first winter storm. Days earlier, a Pekin duck named Madeleine died from complications of severe starvation she had endured before coming into our care, after being discarded to the elements. Abandoning any domestic animal in New York is illegal — but beyond the law lies a moral obligation to the beings we have bred into dependence. If you see a domestic animal left outside without protection, act immediately. Bring them indoors and contact a local rescue or humane organization.
For this week’s Anuvrat, consider how you can help animals survive our harsh winter. Winter is unforgiving, but compassion should not be seasonal.
John Di Leonardo is the founding director of Humane Long Island. He was previously the Senior Manager of Grassroots Campaigns and Animals in Entertainment Campaigns for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). He has a Master's degree in Anthrozoology from Canisius College. He also earned a graduate certificate in Jain Studies from the International School of Jain Studies (ISJS) in India. John can be reached at [email protected].
