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Bracing for the cold: pipes, pets, helping the homeless

Beaumont Animal Care is in need of blanket donations. Some Other Place is looking for gloves, hand-warmers, blankets, thermal underwear, socks and hats.

BEAUMONT, Texas — As temperatures drop across southeast Texas, folks spent the day preparing.

All day Tuesday people piled in to M&D Supply in Beaumont. Manager Scott Floyd said the hot items for the cold temperatures are plant covers, faucet covers, pipe insulation, space heaters and heat lamps for your pets. 

"I can't even tell you how much pipe insulation we've sold," Floyd said. 

The supply store has three different types of faucet covers, a variety of space heaters and all kinds of firewood accessories. Tuesday afternoon, the store was down to their very last hot water heater insulator. 

They also have heat lamps and infrared light bulbs to help keep outdoor pets warm in stock. Floyd said they're great for barns, or smaller outdoor animals. 

RELATED: Pets, plants and heaters: What you need to know as an Arctic Blast blows into Southeast Texas

"You can put a heat bulb on it and put it on a plant, but most people buy these for their pets, for dog houses, for livestock," Floyd said.  

Speaking of pets, Rachel Barron, the veterinary technician for Beaumont Animal Care, reminds folks dogs cannot be tied up if it's below 32 degrees out. It's state law, and violators could face a 500 dollar fine. 

"Just keep in mind if you're going to put on a coat, yes they have fur, but they need a little extra loving hand as well to keep them warm," Barron said. 

Barron encourages people to keep an eye out for their neighborhood pets. Within Beaumont city limits, outdoor pets need to have three walls and a roof. 

Beaumont Animal Care also offers free slices of hay, and plastic doors for dog houses or igloos while supplies last. 

"This is all going to help keep your baby warm while they have to stay outside in this cold weather," she said. 

The shelter is in need of blanket donations to help keep the shelter pets warm this winter.

RELATED: Bring pets inside during the freeze or face the consequences

RELATED: Meet the Chicago woman who rented hotel rooms for the homeless during deep freeze

While some work to protect their homes and their pets, Paula O'Neal at Some Other Place reminds not everyone has a place to go. 

"It is amazing how we worry a lot about or plants and our pets and our pipes, and there are people out on the streets that are truly needing the assistance," O'Neal said. 

O'Neal said they're in need of gloves, hand-warmers, blankets, thermal underwear, socks and hats. When the weather gets to extremes, O'Neal says they have more people coming to get relief.

"Unfortunately, there just aren't a whole lot of resources for them in the event of cold weather, or extreme hot weather, or flooding, but they are resourceful, they will find ways to stay warm," 

O'Neal understands that Salvation Army is opening up a warming station. Some Other Place will also likely be extending their hours. 

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