Urgent: Flood Survival Tips for Animals in North Carolina and Virginia

For Immediate Release:
September 27, 2024

Contact:
Nicole Perreira 202-483-7382

As cities throughout North Carolina and Virginia remain under a flash flood warning due to Hurricane Helene, PETA is issuing a reminder that people should stay vigilant as the storm drags on and never leave dogs tethered or penned outside.

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 and unable to sit or lie down, in almost-submerged crates inside houses, and even flung around by high winds. And of course, animals are petrified in these types of weather conditions.

• Keep all animals indoors with you during a storm. Never leave them tethered, penned, or crated.
• If you need to evacuate at any time, plan your destination in advance and don’t leave animals behind or unsupervised in a car. When traveling, use secure carriers, leashes, and harnesses and bring along water and food bowls, a favorite toy, a blanket, a towel, and enough food for a week. Have your animals microchipped and attach legible ID tags securely to their collars.
• Watch for other animals in trouble. If you see any animals in distress but can’t help, note their location and call authorities immediately.

PETA’s “Natural Disasters: Have a Plan” PSA reminds people to make plans to ensure the safety of their animal companions during a storm.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on X, Facebook, or Instagram.