(Photo taken 2016 Texas does not include credit however: "Sheriff Troy Nehls, reporter Phil Archer, and photographer Jeovany Luna were riding in an airboat crewed by volunteers Jeff Shimek and Richard Allen when they spotted the dog." Fort Bend County Texas 2016)

In the interest of protecting pets and pet owners we are calling on all North Carolina and all national media reporting on the approach of Hurricane Florence to alert pet owners that their pets must be moved to safety now. Every time it floods we see images of chained and penned dogs left to drown during hurricanes and flooding.

Imagine the horror the chained dog experiences, desperately treading water, as flood waters close over her head and nose.  

National and local media coverage regarding Hurricane Florence should include: 

1)  No dog should be left chained or penned.

2) No pets should be left behind, the pet owner must move their pets to safety now. 

3) Some communities have laws against abandoning pets and in particular chained and penned dogs during natural disasters.

4) Sheltering options, out of the flood zones, for pets.

5) Many people will not leave their pets behind but do not know where they can take them choosing instead to stay in a dangerous situation. Providing sheltering options will help ensure pet owner safety.

Reference:   https://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2016/06/rescue-volunteers-save-chained-dog-up-to-her-neck-in-flood-water/