PETA Offers Minnehaha County Urgent Tips for Safeguarding Animals During Possible Tornadoes

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

For Immediate Release:
June 3, 2016

Contact:
Lauren Rutkowski 202-483-7382

With possible tornadoes forecast for your area today and this weekend, PETA is offering important advice to help ensure the safety of companion animals should tornadoes hit.

• Take animals in Never leave them chained or penned up outside. If you seek safety within your residence, include any rabbits, dogs or 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 animals 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 are likely to accept dogs, cats, and other small animals in an emergency.
• Watch for other animals in need, including strays and animals who may have been left behind by neighbors. If you see an animal in distress and are unable to help, note the animal’s location and call authorities for help immediately.

Please visit PETA.org for additional disaster-preparedness tips, or click here to view or link to PETA’s disaster-preparedness public service announcement.