In 2025, the Philippines faced an unforgiving series of natural disasters—from the devastating floods of Super Typhoon Uwan to the powerful earthquakes that shook Cebu.
In the rush to evacuate, many families were forced to make heart-wrenching decisions, often discovering too late that many evacuation centers were not equipped to accommodate four-legged family members.
Heartbreaking images of pets stranded on rooftops or left chained as floodwaters rose served as a sobering wake-up call for pet owners across the archipelago.
These tragedies highlighted a critical gap in our disaster preparedness: while we plan for ourselves, our pets—who depend entirely on us for survival—are often left to the mercy of the elements.
“Our companion animals deserve better. We should give them a chance to survive,“ says Jana Sevilla, senior campaigner for PETA Asia in the Philippines, in her phone interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal).
Preparation is the key.
Here are some pointers that will get you and your pet ready for the next disaster.
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PREPARE A GO BAG FOR PETS
First off, animal guardians should also prepare an emergency go bag for their dogs and cats.
“Our government encourages us to prepare our own go bags, right? In fact, there are LGUs that distribute free go bags to their citizens,” says the PETA Asia representative.
These emergency go bags for humans usually contain a first-aid kit, identification, toiletries, clothing, flashlights, chargers, and an ample amount of food and clothing.
“It’s the same thing with the animals. We encourage everyone to prepare their own go bags for their companion animals.
“Huwag na natin isiksik sa mga sarili nating go bag yung mga supplies na kailangan ng mga alaga natin.”
These go bags will provide the necessary supplies for your furry friends during an evacuation situation or for when traveling becomes dangerous.
Here’s what you should put on the emergency go bag:
- food that will last for at least one week
- a first-aid kit
- a harness and a leash
- pet identification
- towels and blankets
- a toy that can keep them calm and occupied
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Sevilla continues: “It should be properly labeled, yung go bag, para makita kaagad. Sa labas pa lang, lagyan na natin ng label. Kunwari, dog go bag or cat go bag.”
CHECK EVACUATION CENTERS EARLY
Before a disaster hits, you should already know whether the evacuation centers in your area are pet-friendly.
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This way, you’ll know where to bring your furry friends when you need to evacuate.
You can also ask your local government units about their accommodations for animals during emergency situations.
As their guardian, you should prepare your pets to remain comfortable in case you have to stay in an evacuation center.
One way to do this is to train them to become familiar with staying inside a crate or carrier.
Purchase a carrier that is big enough to fit your pet comfortably, then help them gradually get used to it.
Aside from being a convenient and safe way to carry your dog or cat to the evacuation center, the carrier is also a mindful way to consider the comfort of your fellow evacuees.
“Kasi may mga iba na, alam mo yung may mga taong takot sa aso or takot sa pusa, di ba?” explains Sevilla.
Read: Why must you get anti-rabies vaccine not just your pets
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WHAT IF YOU NEED TO LEAVE YOUR PET AT HOME?
But what if there are no evacuation centers that can accommodate animals?
And what if you cannot stay at home with them?
This is the situation that many pet owners have faced in the past.
For this reason, Sevilla doesn’t want to blame the pet owners for leaving their animals behind.
She cited incidents for forced evacuations in Taal, Batangas, where pet owners weren’t allowed to take their furry friends with them.
“Nung dumating yung mga truck ng police para ma-transport ng tao, mag-force evacuation sa mga tao, dala talaga nila yung mga companion animals, di ba?
“But there’s no space for them.
“They were saving space for more people. Kasi nga, forced evacuation yung ginawa, e, di ba? So iniwan talaga nila yung mga alaga nila. Wala silang choice,” she expounds.
If this happens to you, the animal rights advocate suggests that you leave your dog or cat in a safe location.
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“Kung kailangan na nasa loob ng bahay, ilagay mo sa second floor. Make sure na may access sa second floor, may access at least sa higher ground. Tapos may iniwan kang maraming tubig at pagkain,” says Sevilla.
But if leaving them inside your home is not an option, you can just set them free so they have the option to save themselves.
“Nakatali, pagtaas ang baha, lunod. Ang daming beses nang nangyari iyan. So please, do not do that. If you ever find yourself in that situation, na talagang forced evacuation and you can’t bring your animals, don’t chain them, don’t cage them.”
Read: NETIZENS REACT: Pets in grocery carts at malls and supermarkets
KNOW HOW TO ASK FOR HELP
Lastly, you should know where to ask for help when a sudden emergency hits.
Save the number of disaster relief organizations on your phone so you can easily contact them if you and your animals need to be rescued.
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You should also know the contact numbers of animal care groups like PETA Asia so you can ask for help if you need to.
“During the disaster, let’s say a typhoon, our hotline is always open,” says Sevilla, adding that they coordinate with LGUs for the rescue operations.
Then after the disaster, PETA Asia goes to evacuation centers to provide supplies for those who need them.
“We provide more supplies. Mag-iiwan kami ng marami pang food para doon sa mga may mga alaga.
“Kung may sakit, we give treatment. Pumupunta rin naman kami doon sa area noong disaster mismo to check kung walang naiiwan na hayop habang naka-evacuate yung mga tao,” says the animal rights advocate.
For animal emergency rescue or help with disaster relief, you may contact PETA at 0999-888-PETA (7382).
PETA Asia also accepts in-kind donations and cash donations via GCash and Lazada.
For more information, you may contact Ashley at 0918-669-0829.
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