How We Handle Winter Inclement Weather at Animal Admiration Pet Care

Winter weather in West Houston may be rare, but when it arrives, it can significantly impact travel, local access, and daily routines. For families in Katy, Fulshear, Cypress, and neighboring communities, preparation and communication become essential, especially when pets are involved. Here’s how we handle winter inclement weather at Animal Admiration Pet Care because, as we brace for the first winter storm of the year, we want to be sure we’re all on the same page.

Why Safety Always Comes First

At Animal Admiration Pet Care, safety is always our top priority: for pets, for our clients, and for our care team. We owe it to you, our clients, your pets, and our employees to ensure that we consider everyone’s wellbeing, including the wellbeing of our community at large.

When winter storms or other inclement weather events are forecasted, we begin monitoring conditions several days in advance and communicating early with our clients, so families have time to prepare. We do our best to avoid being on the roads during storms, allowing utility companies, emergency services, and law enforcement to mobilize without interruption. And, we ensure our pet sitters are safely at home before conditions deteriorate and until it’s safe to venture out again.

What Happens During Severe Winter Weather

During significant winter events, such as Winter Storm Fern, our operations may temporarily change. For example, when conditions warrant, our office may close, with email and phone messages monitored again once power and access allow. During these periods, we may pause accepting new service requests while we assess road conditions, neighborhood access, and the safety of our team.

Services typically resume as soon as conditions improve, but timing depends entirely on road safety and accessibility. Transparency is key, and we always keep families informed as situations evolve.

Caring for Pets When Families Are Traveling

We understand that winter storms don’t always align with travel plans. When families are already away, and weather impacts roads or neighborhood access, we continue making every safe, reasonable effort to reach pets who are under our care. However, there are times when icy roads, downed power lines, or impassable neighborhoods may delay or prevent visits temporarily.

dog drinking water from silver bowl Katy, Texas

That’s why we strongly encourage advance planning for winter travel. This includes:

Leaving extra food and water accessible to your pets; extra water bowls placed around the house can be lifesavers (literally!)
Add additional litter boxes for cats to use if their existing boxes get full
Put down pee pads in areas where you think your dog might eliminate if they are left waiting between potty breaks
Providing clear care instructions in your pet profiles, including medication names and dosage
Designating a local (ideally walking distance) emergency contact in your client profile

Having a local backup allows pets to receive care if professional access is limited due to weather, and it gives everyone peace of mind.

Why We Encourage Staying Home When Possible

As difficult as it can be, we often advise families to consider staying home with their pets during severe winter weather, even if it means canceling or postponing travel. Pets are safest when their people are home, especially during unpredictable conditions that can impact utilities, heat, and road access.

When staying home isn’t possible, a trusted neighbor who can safely walk next door or check in locally is the most reliable option if conditions deteriorate. If you don’t have a trusted backup like that, it’s best you remain at home because, as I said above, it can become difficult for us to reach your pets if conditions get really bad.