Edgar, the cat who recently underwent emergency surgery in Boston to reattach part of her face after it was apparently slashed off by a vehicle’s fan belt, according to an Associated Press story, is lucky to be alive. Many cats who climb up under car

hoods to be near warm engines are killed when the car is started.

This is just one of the many dangers animals face in winter. Please, keep animals safe by following these tips:

• Bang loudly on your car’s hood before starting the engine to

scare out any cats.

• Keep animals indoors. Outdoors, dogs and cats can suffer from

frostbite, exposure, antifreeze poisoning, and dehydration when water sources freeze, and cats can be killed by car engines.

• If others refuse to allow their animals indoors, make sure they

provide proper shelter: a wooden doghouse elevated several inches off the ground, stuffed with straw, with a flap over the door.

• Clean off your animals’ feet, legs, and stomach after they come

in from walks. Salt and other chemicals can make animals sick if they ingest them while licking themselves.

To learn more, visit www.HelpingAnimals.com.

Lindsay Pollard-Post

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

Norfolk, Va.