Awhile ago a meme began surfacing in different iterations using a completely baseless emotional fallacy that claimed “If you’re cold, they’re cold” regarding cats and dogs in the snow. The premise is of course the lie that “cats and dogs are people too” and thus should be treated exactly the same as what would be humane or kind to a human being, instead of simply what is humane and kind for a cat or a dog.
I blame it for furthering pop-culture ignorance on how fur-laden animals generate and retain body heat in contradistinction to puny fleshy humans.
I’m connecting the dots from that mass distributed ignorance to the fear instilled in animal keepers now who are too afraid to post animals in snow without disclaimers that they are not abusing them by letting them freeze to death or otherwise causing them great suffering.
The Twitter account for the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute wants to make extra super sure you know their animals are safe in snow. So much so that nearly every tweet from January 21st-23rd mentioned some kind of thinly masked disclaimer that the animals are not being horrifically neglected.
We will close at noon & remain closed thru 1/24. Essential staff will be here to care for animals. #blizzard2016 pic.twitter.com/HKxX5VT2yU
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) January 22, 2016
Giant pandas have thick woolly fur coats, perfect for keeping them warm even when rolling in snow, like Tian Tian. pic.twitter.com/nD8oHhYses
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) January 22, 2016
#Blizzard2016 doesn't stop the red pandas! Their feet are completely covered in thick fur. pic.twitter.com/5qf3eBZLqP
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) January 23, 2016
It's too cold & snowy outside for Schmidt's red-tailed monkeys, but keepers brought the snow to them! #Blizzard2016 pic.twitter.com/fvLxcJvRcY
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) January 23, 2016
Wilma's head is the most insulated part of her body. The hump on her back lets her head plow thru snow #Blizzard2016 pic.twitter.com/PoGjq9NJ66
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) January 23, 2016
Keepers gave our elephants the choice to romp in the snow for a little bit today, and Kamala took it! #Blizzard2016 pic.twitter.com/WlPh8Mrwuh
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) January 23, 2016