www.ambiente.us MARCH | MARZO 2010
PETA | Plan now to protect your animals in a disaster
By Lindsay Pollard-Post
The terrible destruction in Haiti is a chilling reminder that disasters can strike
anytime and anywhere. From earthquakes and hurricanes to blizzards and
tornadoes, nearly every area of the U.S. is at risk of experiencing some type of
natural disaster. It's vital to make emergency plans now to protect all members
of our families, including our animals.
Animals aren't any better equipped to survive a disaster than humans are. They
may be even more likely to suffer and perish, since initial rescue efforts usually
focus on getting vital food, water and medical care to human survivors.
According to news reports from Haiti, packs of stray dogs are scavenging for
what little food is available, and many of the country's 5 million farmed animals
are in need of food and veterinary care. Animal rescue teams did not gain
access to the disaster zone until nearly two weeks after the earthquake.
Animals depend on their guardians for survival. That's why, whatever you do, it's
crucial never to leave your animals behind during an evacuation. Even if your
home isn't damaged, downed power lines and impassable roads may prevent
you from returning home for weeks, leaving animals stranded without food or
water.
After Hurricane Katrina slammed into New
Orleans, some brave people chose to stay
behind and risk their lives rather than
PETA | Plan now to protect your animals in a disaster
By Lindsay Pollard-Post
The terrible destruction in Haiti is a chilling reminder that disasters can strike
anytime and anywhere. From earthquakes and hurricanes to blizzards and
tornadoes, nearly every area of the U.S. is at risk of experiencing some type of
natural disaster. It's vital to make emergency plans now to protect all members
of our families, including our animals.
Animals aren't any better equipped to survive a disaster than humans are. They
may be even more likely to suffer and perish, since initial rescue efforts usually
focus on getting vital food, water and medical care to human survivors.
According to news reports from Haiti, packs of stray dogs are scavenging for
what little food is available, and many of the country's 5 million farmed animals
are in need of food and veterinary care. Animal rescue teams did not gain
access to the disaster zone until nearly two weeks after the earthquake.
Animals depend on their guardians for survival. That's why, whatever you do, it's
crucial never to leave your animals behind during an evacuation. Even if your
home isn't damaged, downed power lines and impassable roads may prevent
you from returning home for weeks, leaving animals stranded without food or
water.
After Hurricane Katrina slammed into New
Orleans, some brave people chose to stay
behind and risk their lives rather than
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evacuate without their beloved companions. But countless dogs, cats and
other animals were left stranded on rooftops, clinging to trees and frantically
treading water, terrified and dehydrated.
Following Katrina, PETA's teams of trained animal-emergency staffers spent two
weeks breaking down doors, crawling through filth, wading through noxious
floodwaters and coaxing more than 300 traumatized animals to safety. But for
many animals, rescue came too late. At one home, our team found the rotting
remains of a pit bull locked inside a cage on the kitchen table without any food
or water.
Please don't let your animals end up like this. Check with hotels (many waive
no-animals policies during emergencies), relatives and friends to see if you and
your animals can stay there until the emergency is over. Even if you have to
camp or sleep in your car temporarily, your animals are still better off with you
than left in an empty house. However, never leave animals unattended in a
parked car. Even on a mild day, cars heat up quickly, and animals can suffer and
die from heatstroke in minutes.
Always make sure your animals are up to date on their rabies vaccinations and
are wearing collars with identification tags. It's a good idea to keep an
emergency kit for each of your animals ready to go at a moment's notice. Fill the
kit with leashes, bowls, towels, blankets, litter pans, litter and at least a week's
supply of food and medications.
If you have no choice but to leave your animal companions behind, do
everything you can to ensure their survival. Leave them inside the house, with
other animals were left stranded on rooftops, clinging to trees and frantically
treading water, terrified and dehydrated.
Following Katrina, PETA's teams of trained animal-emergency staffers spent two
weeks breaking down doors, crawling through filth, wading through noxious
floodwaters and coaxing more than 300 traumatized animals to safety. But for
many animals, rescue came too late. At one home, our team found the rotting
remains of a pit bull locked inside a cage on the kitchen table without any food
or water.
Please don't let your animals end up like this. Check with hotels (many waive
no-animals policies during emergencies), relatives and friends to see if you and
your animals can stay there until the emergency is over. Even if you have to
camp or sleep in your car temporarily, your animals are still better off with you
than left in an empty house. However, never leave animals unattended in a
parked car. Even on a mild day, cars heat up quickly, and animals can suffer and
die from heatstroke in minutes.
Always make sure your animals are up to date on their rabies vaccinations and
are wearing collars with identification tags. It's a good idea to keep an
emergency kit for each of your animals ready to go at a moment's notice. Fill the
kit with leashes, bowls, towels, blankets, litter pans, litter and at least a week's
supply of food and medications.
If you have no choice but to leave your animal companions behind, do
everything you can to ensure their survival. Leave them inside the house, with
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access to upper floors and at least a 10 days' supply of dry food and water.
Dehydration is a major threat, so fill multiple sinks, bowls, pans and plastic
containers with water. Rescue workers may be able to save your animals if
you cannot return home, so put signs in your windows and on your front door
indicating how many and what kind of animals are inside.
While it may be hard to imagine that a disaster as terrible as Haiti's
earthquake could strike the places we call home, no one knows what
tomorrow will bring. The situation in Haiti is bleak for all living beings and is a
sad reminder that animals are often overlooked following a disaster. Making
emergency preparations now will ensure that those we care about will have
the best possible outcome if the worst does happen here. Material things are
replaceable, but best friends aren't.
Lindsay Pollard-Post is a research specialist for People for the Ethical
Treatment of Animals, 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510;
www.HelpingAnimals.com.
Copyright © PETA & AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source
Dehydration is a major threat, so fill multiple sinks, bowls, pans and plastic
containers with water. Rescue workers may be able to save your animals if
you cannot return home, so put signs in your windows and on your front door
indicating how many and what kind of animals are inside.
While it may be hard to imagine that a disaster as terrible as Haiti's
earthquake could strike the places we call home, no one knows what
tomorrow will bring. The situation in Haiti is bleak for all living beings and is a
sad reminder that animals are often overlooked following a disaster. Making
emergency preparations now will ensure that those we care about will have
the best possible outcome if the worst does happen here. Material things are
replaceable, but best friends aren't.
Lindsay Pollard-Post is a research specialist for People for the Ethical
Treatment of Animals, 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510;
www.HelpingAnimals.com.
Copyright © PETA & AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source
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