PETA Offers Urgent Information For Safeguarding Animals During Sheep Gap Fire

Group Warns Against Leaving Animals Behind to Fend for Themselves or Outside in Poor Air Quality

For Immediate Release:
September 14, 2017

Contact:
Brooke Rossi 202-483-7382

Because the Sheep Gap Fire continues to burn in the area and some residents have been evacuated, PETA is offering important advice for ensuring the safety of animal companions should more residences be threatened and additional evacuations be ordered. The following information could help save the lives of cats, dogs, birds, and other animals who need to be included in evacuation plans:

• In the event that your area is evacuated, never leave companion animals behind to fend for themselves. They aren’t any better equipped to survive disasters than humans are.
• Know your destination ahead of time. Shelters for human victims often don’t allow animals, but motels in the area may accept them in an emergency. Call destinations in advance, and find out which ones will accommodate you and your animals.
• Never leave animals unsupervised in a car—they can panic and try to escape or suffer from heatstroke once ambient temperatures rise above 70 degrees, even if water is provided and the windows are slightly open.
• Place small animals in secure carriers. Dogs should be leashed with harnesses, because frightening sounds and unfamiliar surroundings may make them bolt and Take water and food bowls, your animal’s favorite toy or blanket, a towel, and enough food for at least one week.
• Residents in areas affected by smoke and falling ash should make sure that animals are kept indoors and avoid all outside activities, such as running with dogs. If visibility is less than 5 miles in your neighborhood, smoke has compromised the air quality and reached levels that are dangerous for everyone.

For additional disaster-preparedness tips and to view or request a copy of PETA’s wildfire public service announcement (PSA) featuring Ali MacGraw, please click here. MacGraw—whose many film credits include Love Story and The Getaway—has been the victim of a wildfire herself. She lost everything in a California wildfire in the 1990s. In the PSA, she makes a heartfelt plea for residents to include their animal family members in their evacuation plans. For more information, please visit PETA.org.