Group Warns Against Leaving Any Animals Behind to Fend for Themselves
For Immediate Release:
June 7, 2011
Contact:
Kristin Richards 202-483-7382
Apache County, Ariz. — As firefighters battle the Wallow Fire, PETA is offering life-saving advice for ensuring the safety of animals. Please alert your audience to the following information, which could help save the lives of cats, dogs, companion birds, livestock, and other animals who need to be included in evacuation plans and may help wildlife survive:
- In the event that your area is evacuated, never leave any animals behind to fend for themselves if it is remotely feasible to move them. They aren't any better equipped to survive disasters than humans are. Dogs can die if they are left tied up, goldfish can cook alive in their bowls, and cats can hole up under houses and find escape impossible.
- Plan ahead and know your destination. Shelters for human victims don't often allow animals, but motels in the area will probably accept them in an emergency. Call destinations in advance and find out which ones will accommodate you and your animals.
- Never leave animals unsupervised in a car; they can panic and try to escape or suffer from heatstroke once ambient temperatures rise above 70 degrees, even if water is provided and the windows are slightly open.
- Place small animals in secure carriers. Dogs should be leashed with harnesses because frightening sounds and unfamiliar surroundings may make them bolt and strangle. Take water and food bowls, your animal's favorite toy or blanket, a towel, and enough food for at least one week.
- Make sure that dogs and cats are microchipped and put legible ID tags with your phone number on them so that your companions can be found in case they get separated from you.
- Leave containers of fresh water in places where they will be accessible to wildlife. Leave the outside faucets trickling.
For additional disaster-preparedness tips and to view or request a copy of PETA's wildfire public service announcement (PSA) featuring Ali MacGraw, please click here. MacGraw—whose many film credits include Love Story and The Getaway—has been the victim of a wildfire herself. She lost everything in a California wildfire in the 1990s. In the PSA, MacGraw makes a heartfelt plea for residents to include their animal family members in their evacuation plans. For more information, please visit PETA.org.