PETA Offers Urgent Information For Safeguarding Dogs And Cats During Severe Weather

For Immediate Release:
15 June 2012


Contact:
Ben Williamson 020 7357 9229, ext 229; [email protected]


London – Because forecasters are predicting torrential rain and gale-force winds in your area this weekend, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is offering urgent advice for ensuring the safety of animal companions. Please alert your audience to the following information, which could help save the lives of cats, dogs, birds and other companion animals during bad weather:



Keep animals indoors, particularly rabbits, puppies, kittens and elderly and small animals.


Don’t allow cats or dogs to roam freely outdoors. During bad weather, cats sometimes climb under the bonnets of cars to be near warm engines and are badly injured or killed when the car is started. (To help prevent this, bang loudly on the bonnet of your car before starting the engine.) Animals can also become disoriented and lost during storms.


Don’t plan to leave animals unsupervised.


Never tie animals up or leave them confined in any way, as they will be trapped and may be unable to flee rising floodwaters.


Have your animals microchipped, and put secure, legible ID tags on them.


Keep an eye out for strays. Take unidentified animals indoors until you can find their guardians or get them to an animal shelter. If strays are skittish or otherwise unapproachable, provide food and water and call the RSPCA for assistance in trapping them and getting them indoors.