PETA Offers Harris County Urgent Tips For Safeguarding Animals During Tornado Watch

Group Warns That Leaving Animals Unattended During Severe Weather Could Turn Fatal

For Immediate Release:
February 14, 2017

Contact:
Brooke Rossi 202-483-7382

With the area under a tornado watch today, PETA is offering important advice to help ensure the safety of companion animals should a tornado hit. The following information could help save the lives of cats, dogs, rabbits, and other animals who need to be included in tornado and other disaster-preparedness plans:

• Take animals indoors. Never leave them chained or penned up outside. If you seek safety within your residence, include any rabbits, dogs, cats, or other animals who can be taken indoors. Dogs have been sucked into the air, doghouse and all, during tornadoes.
• If you need to move to a stronger structure, take your animals with you. Do not plan to leave them unsupervised in a car—they can suffer from heatstroke once the ambient temperature rises above 70 degrees, even if water is available and the windows are slightly open, or the car may be overturned or crushed during a significant storm.
• Move small animals in secure carriers, and keep dogs leashed. Frightening sounds and unfamiliar surroundings may make them bolt. Have your animals microchipped, and put secure, legible ID tags on them.
• If your home is destroyed and you need to seek other shelter, know your destination ahead of time. Although emergency shelters sometimes turn away animals, motels in the area may accept dogs, cats, and other small animals in an emergency.
• Watch for other animals in need, including strays and those who may have been left behind by neighbors. If you see animals in distress and are unable to help, note their location and call authorities for help immediately.

A copy of PETA’s disaster-preparedness public service announcement is available to link to or download here. For more information, please visit PETA.org.