Keep pets safe during natural disasters, Dabawenyos told

DAVAO CITY--Animal rights advocates reminded on Friday Dabawenyos to keep their house pets safe during natural disasters, in the wake of the massive flooding in this city that resulted in the death of several animals.

Marites Batacan, founder of Animal Rescue Rehabilitation and Fostering (ARRF) Davao Inc., issued the reminder following the photos circulating on social media showing dogs drowning.

Some of the images showed that the ill-fated dogs were still in chains and some in their cages when they died after floods hit the city early this week.

Authorities said the flooding was caused by a localized thunderstorm that brought heavy rains.

"In the event of any disaster, fire, earthquake, flood, and any other fortuitous events, please don’t leave your pets behind. Secure them, unleash them, uncage them, so they can find a way to survive," Batacan told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

Pet owners and local government units, she said, should include their pets in their disaster preparedness plan and designate holding areas for pets in evacuation centers.

Batacan proposed that the local government create an animal welfare council that would also focus on the welfare of pets.

"And when a disaster is over, look for them. Just like you, they are scared too," she told pet owners. (PNA)