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As the community rapidly prepares for Hurricane Beryl, pet owners are being urged to not forget about their animals, especially ones left in conditions that could prove deadly in a storm.
In 2020, a photo of a dog chained up in standing flood water during Tropical Storm Eta sparked outrage, resulting in the Department of Agriculture reminding the public of animal cruelty laws.
That was an incident that Danielle Coleman, Hazard Management director said should not be repeated.
“We are hearing a lot of stories about pets, dogs in particular being tied up and left in flooded areas,” Coleman said.
“We really want to encourage the public to make sure they have plans for their pets … please do not leave the pet outside during a storm because chances are they will not survive it.”
Under the Animals Law exposing an animal to extreme weather, failing to provide shelter to keeping them in an environment not suited to their needs is a criminal offence.
‘Be more lenient during these times’
Saskia Salden, Humane Society director, said that she understands that many people in the community do not believe in having animals inside, but pleaded under the current circumstances they should compromise.
“It’s better safe than sorry,” she said. “Dogs, cows horses, if they are left tied up or in cages, they can’t help themselves.”
She added that she hopes that stratas and landlords who don’t allow animals will be more lenient during these times and accommodate shelter dogs.
“It will just be for one or two nights for people to help us,” Salden said.
With the Humane Society constantly needing dogs and cats to be evacuated into foster homes, Salden admitted that the recent response from the public has been encouraging.
“We’ve had people offering and coming in,” she said, noting that some are still fostering animals from the flooding in June.
She further noted that while she and her team are trying to prepare best for the animals living at the shelter, it is difficult to empty out the Humane Society building.
“We have a lot of people traveling and a lot of them are fostering but if everyone brings back the dog they are fostering, we don’t have the capacity,” she said.
However, those who are pet owners and plan to travel, now have the opportunity to travel with their animals after the DoA announced Monday that they will be facilitating emergency exit permits between 2-4 July.
The DoA stated in a release that they will only accept cash, in its exact change at the main office, with correspondence through email and permits will also be emailed.
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