Two animal shelter organizations have appealed to residents to take their pets and livestock to safe areas after a short phreatomagmatic bursts of Taal Volcano on Thursday, July 1.
The Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) and the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) reminded residents living in high-risk areas to not leave their pets and bring them in evacuation areas as Alert Level 3 was raised over the Taal Volcano.
“We appeal to residents living in high-risk areas to not leave their pets or livestock behind. Pets are family! You do not leave a family member in danger,” the AKF said.
The Capas, Tarlac-based animal shelter said they are set to dispatch a strike team to coordinate for the immediate evacuation of left behind animals near the volcano.
Meanwhile, the PAWS are now coordinating with the Batangas officials to set up an evacuation area for farm animals in the affected areas.
“We urge pet owners to please bring their pets with them when they evacuate to avoid stress, heartache, and further tragedy,” the PAWS said.
Mass evacuation of more than 14,000 residents were initiated in high-risk barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel towns of Batangas on Thursday afternoon following the sudden eruption of Taal.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) continued to detect high levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2) from Taal causing volcanic smog or “vog” on the island and surrounding communities on Friday, July 2.
“The public is reminded that the entire Volcano Island is a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), and entry into the island as well as high-risk barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel is prohibited,” the Phivolcs said.