PAWS Urges Public to Unchain Pets During Disaster Evacuation

(SPOT.ph) Our focus on personal safety during a typhoon can sometimes lead to neglecting our pets' needs. Despite our awareness of calamity preparedness, news reports of dogs dying in floodwaters while still tethered persist, serving as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance. This underscores why organizations like the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) tirelessly advocate for the protection and welfare of animals during such crises. Trigger warning: graphic images.

Also read: PAGASA Forecast: Rain in Metro Manila Until Weekend

PAWS urges public to unchain pets during a calamity

In light of Typhoon Carina, PAWS has advised pet owners to ensure their animals' safety by evacuating them during the storm. The animal rights group shared in a post on July 24 photos of pet dogs they found covered in mud, either lying on the ground still chained or trapped in cages, from a rescue mission in Marikina in 2020.

Their Facebook post pleaded, “PLEASE GIVE THEM A FIGHTING CHANCE.”

"Let’s not let any more animals suffer the same fate. In times of crisis, please don't forget about your pets. Evacuate with them and assist your community in safely evacuating their pets too," said the NGO. 

While the group recognized that there are circumstances where people will have to leave without their pets, they reminded that we can at least give them a chance at survival.

"If you absolutely can't take them with you for any compelling reason, PLEASE AT LEAST UNCHAIN THEM AND UNLOCK THEIR CAGES to give them a fighting chance to survive," they wrote. 

In a separate Facebook post, the organization also shared the following reminders for the public:

Prepare Your Evacuation Plan

Have your emergency go-kit ready, including essentials like pet food, water, first aid supplies, and medical records. Plan ahead for how and where you'll transport your pets.

Be Resourceful

If you don't have crates or carriers, use everyday items like laundry baskets or basins as makeshift carriers to transport your pets safely.

Never Leave Them Behind

Abandoning your pets should only be a last resort. If you absolutely cannot evacuate with them, make sure to uncage and unchain them to give them a better chance of survival.

If you have the means, consider taking in a stray during rainy days. Strays are especially vulnerable in harsh weather, and offering them shelter, food, and warmth can provide much-needed relief. Kindness and empathy can make a significant difference, for sure!

Also read: What to Do Before, During, and After a Typhoon