Urgent From PETA in Southwest Florida: Cruel—and Criminal—to Abandon Animals During Tropical Storms

For Immediate Release:
July 4, 2021

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Because a tropical storm watch is in effect in southwest Florida, PETA reminds that people should never leave dogs tethered or penned outside and always take their animal companions with them if they have to evacuate their homes.

Believe it or not, every time there’s a natural disaster, many dogs and other companion animals are left outside to fend for themselves and even left behind when humans evacuate. Dogs kept tethered will swim to exhaustion and drown—and there are tethered dogs everywhere. PETA’s Animal Rescue Team has witnessed firsthand the trauma that animals endure when left behind to face floodwaters and flying debris. During previous storms, we have found dogs dead. We have also found them up to their necks in water, unable to sit or lie down, and in almost-submerged crates inside houses and seen animals who have been flung around by high winds. And of course, animals are petrified in these kinds of weather conditions.

PETA is sharing its natural disaster–preparedness PSA featuring Dean Winters. It will remind people to make plans to ensure the safety of their animal companions long before evacuating. For more information, please visit PETA.org