Heart Evangelista reminds fellow pet owners to keep furry friends safe amid Taal eruption
As the Taal Volcano continues to rumble and spew ash on Tuesday, animal welfare advocate Heart Evangelista reminded pet owners anew of their responsibility to keep their animal companions safe.
On Instagram, Heart shared a cute photo of herself sitting on the floor, comforting her dogs Yogi, Panda and Casper indoors.
"Just a friendly reminder from Yogi, Panda and Casper to keep your furry friends safe during this time," she said in the caption.
"Let’s not forget them in this time of need," the actress added.
Volcanic ash is not only unsafe for humans, so here are a few easy steps to make sure our pets are alright:
- Keep them indoors (Large animals should be brought into stables or some form of shelter)
- Make sure food and water bowls / troughs for farm animals are not exposed.
- Grass and vegetation for feeding ruminants, goats, sheep, cattle must be washed and free from ash before feeding.
- Watch out for respiratory signs like coughing, difficulty breathing, sneezing, etc. (If there symptoms are present, have them checked by a veterinarian immediately)
- If your pet has been exposed, remove ash from your pets by wiping them down or giving them a bath. Do not let them lick the ask.
- Keep surroundings clean. Sweep or wash off ashfall from yards, patios or other outdoor areas.
According to an advisory from the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), "ash is abrasive and can do permanent damage to an animal's eye."
Animal owners are also reminded that prolonged ash exposure can be fatal to animals and may even cause respiratory problems.
—Margaret Claire Layug/JCB, GMA News