Jan. 21—Up to a quarter of people experiencing homelessness have pets nationwide. And as an Arctic air mass sweeps through the U.S., a New Mexico nonprofit is working to make sure those pets stay safe.

Los Sueños Community Giving on Friday handed out pet food, blankets, leashes and beds to prepare unhoused pets for the inclement weather, ahead of frigid temperatures and wind chills around New Mexico. There could be as many as 20,000 unhoused people in New Mexico, according to data from the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness.

“Hypothermia and frostbite, all those conditions can be really hard to reverse, especially in animals,” said Wendy Luck, executive director of Los Sueños.

A person could get frostbite in as little as half an hour of being outside and animals can get frostbite in as little as 15 minutes.

Outside of the direct effects of the winter weather, the chemicals used to make roads safer can be harmful to pets, like anti-freeze and rock salt, said Luck.

Her advice to keep pets safe if they are outdoors is to make sure pets are covered and warm with blankets or sweaters, avoid areas that have been treated for ice and ensure pets have access to fresh unfrozen water as well as plenty of food.

That can be easier said than followed, especially for unhoused people. Luck said only Gateway West, an emergency housing shelter at 7440 Jim McDowell NW, currently allows the unhoused to bring their pets with them.

Not allowing pets in homeless shelters tends to keep pet-owners on the streets, Luck added.

Some places such as Animal Humane New Mexico are working on getting boarding programs in the future, according to Luck.

People can view unhoused people as “takers,” and having a pet can help the vulnerable communities feel like they’re giving back instead, Luck said.