Question:
My wife and I are very upset about how tornadoes and other severe weather across the country harm wildlife, as well as people and their pets. So many dogs, cats and other pets are never seen again, and there is little news coverage about what happens to farm animals. I know there are no simple solutions, but what do you suggest?
R.M., Washington, DC Jul 31, 2011
Answer:
In my book "Inhumane Society: The American Way of Exploiting Animals," I documented what climate experts were predicting 25 years ago if governments around the world ignored the warning signs of climate change and failed to take immediate steps to reduce carbon dioxide and other "greenhouse" gas emissions. We are now witnessing the consequences of political inertia and a business-as-usual attitude.
Dog and cat owners should have crates/cages on hand to secure their animals with them under safe cover when community sirens give the alarm. Collars with ID tags are essential. Disaster relief efforts must include funding for animal search and rescue.
I rarely see search and rescue dogs on TV wearing protective boots as they scramble over broken building materials -- glass, sharp metal and splintered wood. This is gross animal neglect. In hot weather, especially, rescue dogs also may benefit from wearing evaporative cooling vests, but of course not in a poorly ventilated, confined space.
Horses and farm animals in fields and those confined in "animal factory" sheds are especially vulnerable. Emergency veterinary services play a major role in triage determinations, the euthanasia of severely injured animals being a humane and responsible decision.To reiterate, the tragic consequences to people and animals of intensifying extreme weather events could have been lessened if appropriate actions had been taken more than a quarter of a century ago, but it's never too late to act. Great international cooperation will be required to save the environment.
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