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The Habana branch of the organization Bienestar Animal Cuba (BAC-Habana) warned this Saturday about the risk that hundreds of thousands of animals will face during the passage of Hurricane Melissa and urged the public to provide temporary shelter for stray animals and to protect pets.
In this regard, the organization issued an urgent statement through its profile on Facebook, asking guardians to keep their pets safe and urging the community to open their doors “even if just for a few days” to abandoned animals.
"A dry corner can save their lives. Let's not leave them alone," the text emphasizes, calling for solidarity in the midst of the emergency caused by the hurricane that is already advancing powerfully over the Caribbean and threatens to impact the national territory.
In a previous message, animal rights activists referred to the rapid strengthening of the system and its likely passage through the eastern region of Cuba as a powerful hurricane, with winds and rainfall that could cause severe flooding, fallen trees, and destruction in vulnerable areas.
"We therefore urge all guardians to keep their pets indoors, ensuring they are protected, with enough water and food," they urged.
According to estimates shared by the BAC-Habana group, the street animal population in Cuba could currently exceed 500,000, solely among dogs and cats, a figure that, given the rains and flooding, translates into a potential tragedy.
On social media, numerous users reinforced the call for empathy. “Help the street animals while the hurricane passes,” wrote Victoria Prieto-Solís.
Isabel Acosta insisted that animals "are part of the family" and urged keeping them indoors to prevent fatal accidents.
Other internet users, such as Elena Cazulo and Joyce Margarita Cruz, recalled the importance of taking dogs off rooftops and not leaving them tied up during the event. “Protect your pets,” they urged.
According to statements from the deputy director of the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in the United States, Tropical Storm Melissa is "practically on the verge of becoming a hurricane," and he recommended considering it with that level of danger due to its current evolution and extremely slow movement.
During Saturday's report, the official emphasized that the risk significantly increases in the areas located along its projected path, particularly highlighting Jamaica.
He added that the weather phenomenon could gain strength rapidly in the short term. "The situation is becoming progressively more critical," he emphasized.
The authorities of Santiago de Cuba have launched a series of actions to tackle the impacts of Tropical Storm Melissa, arriving amidst power outages, food shortages, and a health crisis.
However, in Granma, the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, Yudelkis Ortiz, acknowledged this Saturday the lack of preparation in several territories of the province in light of the impending arrival of the meteor, which is already causing heavy rains and flooding in eastern Cuba.
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