Urgent From PETA: Cruel—and Criminal—to Abandon Animals During Hurricane Milton

For Immediate Release:
October 7, 2024

Contact:
Nicole Perreira 202-483-7382

As Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida’s Gulf Coast, PETA is issuing a reminder that people should never leave dogs tethered or penned outside and always take their animal companions with them if they have to evacuate their homes.

Every time there’s a natural disaster, many dogs and other companion animals are left outside to fend for themselves and even left behind when humans evacuate. Dogs kept tethered will swim to exhaustion and drown—and there are tethered dogs everywhere. PETA’s Animal Rescue Team has witnessed firsthand the trauma that animals endure when left behind to face floodwaters and flying debris. During previous storms, we have found dogs dead. We have also found them up to their necks in water and unable to sit or lie down, in almost-submerged crates inside houses, and even flung around by high winds. And of course, animals are petrified in these types of weather conditions.

• Keep all animals indoors with you if you choose not to evacuate. Never leave them tethered, penned, or crated.
• If you evacuate, plan your destination in advance and do not leave animals behind or unsupervised in a car.
• A hurricane of this intensity can be very dangerous for people living on boats. Please consider evacuating, and be sure to bring your animals with you.
• Be prepared: Use secure carriers, leashes, and harnesses. Bring along water and food bowls, a favorite toy, a blanket, a towel, and enough food for a week. Have your animals microchipped, and put secure, legible ID tags on them.
• Watch for other animals in trouble. If you see any animals in distress and can’t help, note their location and call authorities immediately.

PETA’s “Natural Disasters: Have a Plan” PSA reminds people to make plans to ensure the safety of their animal companions long before evacuating.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on X, Facebook, or Instagram.