Urgent! Do NOT Leave Dogs Chained; Take Animal Companions With You During Evacuations

For Immediate Release:
September 3, 2019

Contact:
Brooke Rossi 202-483-7382

As Hurricane Dorian continues to churn up the East Coast, remember to never leave dogs chained and to take your animal companions with you if you have to evacuate. Believe it or not, lots of dogs and other animal companions are left behind every time there’s a natural disaster. Dogs kept on chains will swim to exhaustion and then drown, and there are chained dogs everywhere. PETA’s Animal Rescue Team has witnessed firsthand the trauma that animals endure when left behind to face the floodwaters and flying debris caused by hurricanes. 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, in almost-submerged crates inside houses and seen animals who have been flung around in high winds. And of course, animals are petrified in these kinds of weather conditions.

PETA has released a hurricane-preparedness public service announcement featuring Dean Winters. Make plans to ensure the safety of your animal companions long before evacuating. For more information, please visit PETA.org.