PETA releases guide for pets during Tropical Storm Kristine

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Asia (PETA) on Wednesday reminded the public to ensure the safety of their pets during Tropical Storm Kristine.

In a statement, the animal welfare organization advised pet parents of the following disaster preparation plans to save the lives of cats, dogs, and other animals during the typhoon:

• If at all avoidable, never leave animals behind
• Never tie animals up or leave them caged
• Ensure animals have access to high levels of land to avoid floodwaters
• During evacuation, place small animals in cages and dogs leashed. Bring water, food bowls, their favorite toys, a towel and a week’s worth of food.
• Save other animals in need, such as strays or animals abandoned by others

“In cases of emergency, in which an animal's life is in immediate danger, call PETA's emergency rescue line at 0999 888 PETA (7382),” the statement read.

A similar call was made by PETA during Typhoon Carina.

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), meanwhile, urged local governments to ensure the safety of animals under their care.

“LGU pounds must ensure their facilities comply with the Animal Welfare Act, which mandates that the animals in their care be kept safe from harm. This includes ensuring that they are not left in their cages to get wet or exposed to the elements during heavy raining or flooding,” PAWS said in a social media post.

“In such dire events, the impounded animals must be evacuated alongside the pound’s staff or, if for any compelling reason evacuation with them is not possible, the humane option is to set these animals free from their cages so that they can swim to safety, rather than just leaving them trapped in danger,” it added.

PAWS made the statement in light of the July 2024 incident where some animals at the San Juan City Pound were left to drown in the flood as they were locked in cages during the onslaught of Carina.

San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora filed charges and suspended the city veterinarian as the local government probed into the incident.

As of PAGASA’s 2 p.m. cyclone bulletin for Tropical Storm Kristine on Wednesday, there were 31 areas under Signal No. 2.

The possibility of raising Signal No. 3 over some areas has also been considered.

Meanwhile, three persons were reported dead in the Bicol Region due to the effects of the storm.

Kristine is predicted to intensify into a severe tropical storm before making a landfall over the province of Isabela on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. —Jiselle Anne Casucian and Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF/VBL, GMA Integrated News