The 'If You're Cold, They're Cold' meme originated as a parody of sincere public service announcements from animal welfare organizations, which typically urge pet owners to bring their animals indoors during freezing winter weather. The humor lies in the intentional misapplication of this logic to inanimate objects or inappropriate scenarios, such as tanks, industrial machinery, or even dangerous wild animals. By treating these objects as if they were vulnerable pets, the meme creates an absurd contrast that resonates with internet culture's love for ironic empathy. It has since evolved into a versatile template used for everything from political commentary to gearhead humor, emphasizing the ridiculous notion of 'saving' something that doesn't actually feel temperature.