Photos: See How PETA Helped Dogs Trapped in Tropical Storm Ophelia’s Path
See how PETA fieldworkers helped “backyard dogs” left outside in Tropical Storm Ophelia when their owners failed to bring them indoors.
Although everyone in Virginia and North Carolina knew that the severe storm was looming, some dog owners still left their dogs tied up outdoors, unable to escape the rising floodwaters—and many told our fieldworkers that they weren’t even going to go outside to check on their dogs because they didn’t want to get wet! On Friday and Saturday, PETA’s fieldworkers visited dozens of dogs who were left outside in Tropical Storm Ophelia and asked their owners to bring them inside. If they refused, the fieldworkers ensured that the animals had adequate food, clean water, and shelter from the pouring rain and falling debris.
Meet Some of the Dogs Left Outside in Tropical Storm Ophelia
We provided Layla with cover from the torrential rain, as her pen offered no protection from the elements except a drenched doghouse.
Tiny Cash was left to soak outside with overflowing, dirty water dishes in a flooding pen.
Abel, Athena, and Yola had some shelter from the torrents of rain, thanks to their PETA-provided dog houses, and our fieldworkers ensured that they had adequate food and clean water, as most of their owners weren’t going outside to check on them.
PETA Helps ‘Backyard Dogs’ Everyday
Abel, Athena, Yola, and Cash are just a few of the many dogs who are left outside in all weather extremes.
We want all dogs to live indoors with families who love them, but we often work in areas where many people are unfamiliar with the concept of allowing dogs inside—and where the law doesn’t prohibit people from keeping them chained all day and night.
If we can’t persuade the families we work with to allow their dogs indoors—and if the dogs aren’t being kept in illegal conditions—our fieldworkers do everything they can to improve the lives of these lonely animals and inform their owners how to care for them properly. A doghouse is no substitute for a real home, but it makes a world of difference to the dogs who previously had nowhere to escape from scorching heat or other weather extremes. Every dog who’s visited by our fieldworkers is also given toys, treats, and desperately needed affection.
How You Can Help ‘Backyard Dogs’ in Your Area
PETA works with kind people across the country to advocate for tethering bans in their communities. An effective way to help “backyard dogs” is to work with elected representatives to pass ordinances that ban or restrict chaining. To get started, see what current legislation on tethering dogs exists in your community.
Dogs should never be left outside unattended, but when they’re outside and deprived of access to water or shelter, the situation becomes an emergency—and local authorities should be contacted immediately. If they are unresponsive, contact PETA for help. Dogs’ well-being—even their lives—could depend on you.
