How to Talk About Pets, People, and Hurricane Helene
<6.5 minute read>
Now is Not the Time for That
Imagine driving down the road in a car and seeing a terrible accident - smashed vehicles and injured people in tears. Now imagine pulling over, getting out of the car, and berating the drivers for causing the accident. “How could you?!” you say. “You should have known better! I would never have gotten into an accident like this!”
Hard to imagine doing this, right? You weren’t there, don’t have the details, and don’t know the people involved. Of course, criticizing people does not rebuild cars or heal injured passengers. Shaming does not reverse time so drivers can steer in a different direction. Why yell and blame people at this painful moment? No good comes from it.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, stories and images are running through our news feeds and social channels. We are passing them like accidents on the road. We see the rescue of a soaking wet cat or learn that a dog drowned, and the messages and responses explode. Unfortunately, many reactions only compound our problems...
“How can people be so stupid?”
“Humans are cruel! Someone needs to be prosecuted!!”
“I would never let that happen to my pet!”
Many animal lovers quickly judge pet owners and communities without knowing much about them. We stop and we yell. Then we stop, and we yell again. But who are we helping?
What We Need to Say Now
Learning about the pain and fear animals have experienced during a disaster is devastating. During moments like this, the stories and messages we create and share have an impact. They affect the people reeling from shock and loss, the animals needing support, and the helpers within and outside communities doing their best.
Our stories and messages also lay the groundwork for how we support people, animals, and communities in the wake of a disaster and in the future. Here are four essential tips so we can use the power of our stories and messages for good.
Four Essential Tips for Talking About Pets, People, and Hurricane Helene
- Explain Root Causes
- Uplift the Stories of Local Heroes
- Tie Your Story to Local Realities
- Share Our Love for Animals
Explain Root Causes
Insufficient siren systems. Mountainous terrain blocking cell phone alerts from getting through. People and pets without access to lodging away from the storm. Rough rural roads and no access to safe transportation. Animal shelters already stretched to their brink.
Tragedies from disasters are not inevitable. During events like Hurricane Helene, the unfairness of systems in our society becomes painfully clear. These systems impact pet owners' ability to access care for their animals and keep their pets safe, especially during a crisis like catastrophic, record-breaking flooding. Unfair systems take power and choice away from pet owners and put innocent lives at risk.
The story of unfair and broken systems needs to be shared so we can understand what happened. Identifying the organizations, political decisions, and institutions that put the lives of animals and people in peril or failed to provide protection is how we can prepare ourselves to prevent these tragedies in the future.
For example:
"In many communities hard hit by Helene, a lack of investment in rural roads and infrastructure made it impossible for pet families to evacuate and stay safe. People and pets were forced to stay put and endure the catastrophic flooding. When we invest in essential community resources like safe roads and affordable internet, we can help prevent these tragedies from happening."
"Even before the disaster, in rural NC counties, there has not been enough quality, affordable housing. This means that 47% of renters and 20% of homeowners have had to spend 30% or more of their income on housing costs. The result is that when faced with the need to evacuate, paying for safe emergency lodging wasn't an option for many pet families. Pet owners had no choice but to delay evacuation or stay put and suffer as a result.”
If we want a future without the kinds of stories and images we see coming out of Helene; we must focus on changing the systems that put pet families at risk. We can begin to fix these unfair systems when we start talking about them.
Uplift the Stories of Local Heroes
After a devastating crisis, people and organizations jump to help. Outside support is desperately needed, but it can overshadow incredible local work. Every day, first responders rescue people and animals in their communities, and neighbors help neighbors.
Communities impacted by Hurricane Helene are full of heroes. These extraordinary people are working hard to save and support animals and people. Local heroes deserve our spotlight, our support, and to be recognized for their strength and resilience. Talk about local heroes and how grassroots efforts are making a difference.
For example:
“When disasters strike, both people and animals are impacted and the shelters in the area rally to help animals in need. However in some disasters shelters themselves are impacted. When that happens the true potential of the animal welfare field is realized…
…I’m thinking a lot about the staff and volunteers of Brother Wolf Animal Rescue and the complete devastation they and their community are experiencing. I know they’ll rebuild and be stronger but they need our full support right now.”
(Mike Keiley, VP Animal Protection Division, MSPCA; shared via LinkedIn)
“Today, instead of asking for $5 for our organization, we ask you to please donate to one of the amazing organizations in the path of devastation down south. We have been following this page and are just so thankful for them. Thank you Mountain Mule Packer Ranch. Another organization that really needs help is Brother Wolf Animal Rescue. They were hit hard and their whole shelter was destroyed.”
(Post from Lucky Day Animal Rescue)
Tie Your Story to Local Realities
As shelters and rescues nationwide step up to unburden local animal welfare organizations, describe how you ensure that affected pets, people, and organizations are supported. Go beyond highlighting your organization's rescue efforts and tell why it is critical to help and how your efforts connect to local needs.
For Example:
“These cats and dogs were in shelters prior to the devastating storms and were evacuated from regional shelters to make room for the incoming influx of displaced animals. Many shelters in the storm’s path have been completely destroyed and had no place to go with the animals who were in their care when the storm hit.”
(post from: Wisconsin Humane Society)
“We did it! Today, 14 dogs from Aiken County Animal Shelter arrived safely, and thanks to your generosity, we’re sending a van full of donations back to help even more animals affected by Hurricane Helene.”
(Post from: Potter League for Animals)
Remember that the headlines about Helene will fade far faster than the storm's impacts. Local animal welfare organizations, pet owners, and communities will be working to rebuild their work and lives for months and years to come. If you will step up and support now, don't disappear when Helene is no longer headline news.
Share Our Love for Animals
There is no denying the pain that comes from learning that an animal has suffered or died during a disaster. When we believe the death was preventable, the pain is compounded. We look for someone to blame.
There are some bad actors, but most people are well-intentioned and love their pets. Almost every American with a pet feels they are family, and this love does not disappear during disasters. People and animals suffer together. Alongside these animals we see hurting in the wake of Hurricane Helene are homes, communities, and human lives devastated and washed away.
Social media influencers and news channels do not regularly report on everyday stories of devotion and compassion, even though they are everywhere during disasters. Negative stories spread faster and further, leaving us feeling like the world—and the people in it—are terrible. We are better than this, but we are not seeing it. Look for stories of people loving their pets and share them. Remember that these stories are who we are.
Watch Video: Pets saved by people standing in chest-deep Helene flood
A group of neighbors in Hendersonville, North Carolina, stood in chest-deep flood water from Helene to save cats and dogs from drowning.
