During both an evacuation period, and in the days and months that follow, SPCA International will do all we can to assist a community with the help of our members. Many animal lovers feel a strong desire to roll-up our sleeves and personally help when an area has been devastated by disaster. Click read more to learn what the most pressing animal needs are in a disaster situation and how you can assist most effectively.
The following lists outline the essential items you will need to efficiently evacuate your companion animals, and to keep them safe and healthy during a temporary shelter period. There may be some additional items you feel are necessary for your particular companion animal.
When evacuation orders are issued, it is imperative that you take your animals with you. Animals do not have the same capabilities as humans do to protect themselves. Therefore, leaving an animal behind during a wild land fire, in rising flood waters or in the path of a hurricane could cause them extensive injury or even death. Instead of abandoning animals to fend for themselves, determine ahead of time how you can transport your pet to a safe location. The more animals in a household, and the larger the animals are, the more advance planning will be required.
What is a Puppy Mill?
Puppy mills are large dog breeding facilities that house up to several hundred dogs at a time in deplorable conditions. Most facilities force female breeding dogs to live in small cages and reproduce until they can no longer carry a pregnancy due to age or health. Many dogs can be housed in one small cage without room to move. Puppy mill breading dogs are worked like slaves for the financial profit of the owner. The conditions are cruel, and unfathomable to most animal lovers.
Neighborhood puppy mills are also a problem in the United States. These are smaller scale operations, often found in people’s homes. In this scenario, people breed their personal dog for a profit without adequate time between pregnancies or proper veterinary care.
Who can resist a cute puppy sitting in a storefront window, playing with a toy or sleeping peacefully? What you cannot see in the window is how many of those cute, purebred puppies come from puppy mills all over the United States, where dogs are forced to live in small cages and rarely come in contact with a compassionate human.
How do I report a puppy mill in my area?
SPCA International encourages you to contact your local Animal Control, rescue group, Sheriff’s Department or Crime Stoppers’ hotline if you suspect a puppy mill is operating in your area. These organizations will have the jurisdiction to investigate and shut down puppy mills. Contacting your local agency will also ensure the fastest possible action.
Recent natural disasters illustrate clearly why it is critical to have a disaster plan in place not only for you and your family, but also for the animals for which you are responsible. In order to ensure the safety and well-being of all the members of your family, there is no better time than now to think through the issues that will ensure the appropriate plan of action and to evaluate and update any plan you may already have in place.
Learn & Act
