As the cold weather continues, animal shelters are ensuring the cats and dogs are protected from the elements.

With Kildare set to come under an Orange low temperature and ice warning this evening, the volunteers at KWWSPCA are working to ensure the animals in their care are safe and warm.

Volunteer Elizabeth Hamilton said the shelter is "being really careful to make sure all the dogs are looked after."

Both the indoor and outdoor area of KWWSPCA has been kitted out with lamps to keep the animals warm.

One of KWWSPCA's residents wearing a coat.

"One of the things that is very clear from the cold snap is to make sure that the animal shelter is fully insulated," she said.

"We make sure all the dogs have lovely warm coats on - some of the coats we have here are thanks to the support of the community who support our animals.

"We're frequently keeping an eye on the dogs to make sure they're alright and making sure the water is not frozen so they've got water to drink."

A cat in the shelter.

With dogs also at risk of falling on the ice, Ms Hamilton said volunteers are ensuring they have a tight grip on the animals during walks.

She also thanked the public for their generosity during the cold snap.

"The public have been really helpful in terms of supporting us, donating food and blankets all sorts of things, toys to get us through this period," she said.

Elsewhere, in the shelter's cattery, volunteer Grainne McNamara said it is important the public consider how the cold snap affects all animals - not just dogs.

Guinness, a cat in the KWWSPCA.

"Every animal needs to be looked after during this time," she said.

"Cats need to be looked after as well - they need to be warm, they need to be fed, they need to have somewhere where they can hide and seek refuge."

Ms McNamara said the shelter has been able to operate throughout the cold snap.

Volunteers with Autumn, a lurcher at the KWWSPCA

"We've been lucky we've been able to come all the time to the shelter - every day there is somebody here," she said.

The Orange weather warning for Galway, Roscommon, Tipperary, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim and Donegal will take effect at 7pm this evening.

Feature image shows a volunteer holding a Beetlejuice, a dog, at KWWSPCA.