Calf resting in straw
Europe‑wide

Winter Warmth Campaign

Did you know stable warmth and dryness in winter sharply reduce respiratory illness in kennels and catteries? We winterized partner shelters with practical upgrades suited to local climates.

Calf housing improvements on the farm

Warm, Dry & Protected

Funding provided: €44,000

Winter can be especially harsh for animals living in shelters. Without proper insulation and heating, cold winds and damp air can lead to respiratory illness and stress. Through the Winter Warmth Campaign, Global Animal Aid helped partner shelters across Europe prepare for the cold season with simple but life-changing improvements.

Our support included insulated dog houses, thermal curtains, safe heaters, and deep straw bedding. We helped install raised pallet floors and windbreaks to keep kennels dry, and provided materials for moisture and condensation control. Each upgrade was adapted to local climates to make the shelters both energy-efficient and safe.

Care teams also received quick guides on ventilation, heater safety, and air quality — helping them balance warmth with proper airflow. These practical tools turned small shelters into warm refuges where animals could rest, recover, and stay healthy through the winter months.

A warm shelter doesn’t just protect bodies — it restores spirits. This campaign turned cold concrete into comfort, proving that sometimes, warmth itself can be a form of rescue.

Comfort through the cold

Stable temperatures — insulated housing and safe heat sources maintained core warmth.

Dry bedding — raised floors and absorbent layers prevented wicking and damp.

Health gains — fewer coughs, calmer behavior, quicker recovery times.

Calf standing near hutch
Deep, dry straw insulates better than thin blankets during cold snaps and stays warm even when paws bring in snow. It’s affordable, easy to refresh, and beloved by senior dogs. Sometimes the simplest materials deliver the kindest results.
Heaters can help or harm depending on placement and airflow. We use units with tip‑over switches, test for dead zones, and crack windows to prevent stuffiness. Warmth without headaches keeps animals comfy and staff alert.
A pallet floor and a simple windbreak solved more problems than expensive gadgets in many sites. Keeping bedding off damp concrete is half the battle. The rest is checking corners where the cold sneaks in.
A 60‑second walk at midnight catches drafts, empty bowls, and shivering seniors before they matter. It’s a tiny habit with outsized impact. Warm water refills are a bonus morale boost for everyone.

What People Are Saying

“Our seniors finally slept through the night — no shivering, no coughing.”
- Petra Nováková, Shelter Volunteer — Bratislava, Slovakia
Farmer with cow at sunset

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