Urgent From PETA: Cruel—and Criminal—to Abandon Animals During Tropical Storm Hilary

For Immediate Release:
August 20, 2023

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

As Tropical Storm Hilary approaches Southern California—and because a tropical storm warning is now in effect for Orange County—PETA reminds that people should never leave dogs tethered or penned outside and to always take their animal companions with them if they have to evacuate their homes.

Believe it or not, 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, unable to sit or lie down, and in almost-submerged crates inside houses and seen animals who have been flung around by high winds. And of course, animals are petrified in these kinds of weather conditions.

Please see PETA’s natural disaster–preparedness PSA featuring Dean Winters. It reminds people to make plans to ensure the safety of their animal companions long before evacuating. For more information, please visit PETA.org.