A national animal welfare organization, PETA, is calling on residents of Santa Ynez Valley to take proactive steps to safeguard their pets as evacuation orders persist due to the Lake fire north of Los Olivos.
The fire, now in its fourth day, has burned 26,176 acres and remains at 12% containment as of Tuesday morning.
Melissa Rae Sanger of the PETA Foundation emphasized the importance of including animal companions in evacuation plans. “Remember your animal companions in your plan,” Sanger urged in a recent statement.
PETA recommends preparing a small bag of essentials for pets that can be easily grabbed in an emergency. Key items include pet medical records, food and water, bowls, medications, and a comforting toy or blanket. For sanitation needs, PETA advises packing newspapers, paper towels, trash bags, litter, and a litter box for cats.
Sanger stressed the potential risks for animals left behind during evacuations. “Animals will almost certainly perish if left behind during an evacuation,” she warned. Instead, PETA advises pet owners to take their animals with them, ensuring dogs are leashed and cats and small animals are crated, as frightened animals may attempt to flee.
In addition, PETA cautions against leaving animals tied up or confined during emergencies, citing the dangers posed by fire, falling debris, and smoke. They recommend cutting fences and opening stalls to give large animals in corrals and barns a better chance to escape, if transporting them to safety is not feasible.
“Please, prepare today. You may not have the chance tomorrow,” Sanger urged, emphasizing the urgency of proactive planning for pet safety during wildfire evacuations.
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