Gov. activates severe cold weather protocol

CT Cold weather protocol in effect from 3 pm Thursday, Dec. 4, through 12 pm on Tuesday, Dec. 9

December 4, 2025 (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that due to a weather forecast indicating that Connecticut will experience a blast of arctic temperatures averaging 10 to 20 degrees below normal over the next several days.

The Governor has activated CT's severe cold weather protocol beginning at 3 pm Thursday, Dec. 4, and ending at 12 pm on Tuesday, Dec. 9. Please bring your pets inside; they are susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite, just like we are. If it's too cold for you, it's too cold for them.

Public Act 22-59 Tethering and Adequate Shelter law states: when either a weather advisory or warning is issued by the National Weather Service, or outdoor environmental conditions, including, but not limited to, extreme heat, cold, wind, rain, snow or hail, pose an adverse risk to the health or safety of a dog based on such dog’s breed, size, age, thickness of coat or physical condition, no person shall (1) tether such dog outdoors to a stationary object or mobile device, including, but not limited to, a trolley or pulley, unless such tethering is for a duration of not more than 15 minutes, or (2) fail to provide such dog adequate shelter for a duration of more than fifteen minutes, unless such person is in the presence of such dog and outdoors during such advisory or warning or exposed to such outdoor environmental conditions.

If you see something, say something. Call your local Animal Control Officer and local authorities and provide them with as much detail as possible.