Animals on playa this year

[Milayna]

This was my virgin year, so I'm not sure what the norm is out there, but I saw a lot of pets that people snuck in. A lady camping across the street from me had a cat walking around camp all week, out on the open playa I ran into a guy with a little yorkie in his bike basket, and I repeatedly saw a man riding his bike with a dog (on leash) running along side him. Oh and I saw another cat when I was out riding around the city (can't remember where I was though)

I guess if someone really feels they can take proper care of a pet out there then okay, but I couldn't help wondering how the poor animals felt with all the loud noises, heat, dust, etc. Also, there aren't any veterinary services out there so if your pet gets into trouble (dehydration, etc) then what are you going to do?

I don't know, just seemed like a bad idea to me.

[RedHeaven]

That disturbs me to all hell, I hate thinking of a poor cat or any other creature out there against will. It disturbs me so much that I am almost glad I am not going next year. So if I ever get the sads of not being able to attend in 2013, I will just think of these facts, that assholes DO bring pets out there. That is animal abuse and they should be reported to the closest Ranger. They should be kicked out of the city and cited.

AND PEOPLE ARE GETTING BUSTED FOR LAME SHIT WHILE THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN.....I am appalled.
IN 2009 I heard a cat in a carrier in line at night on the way in. It bothered me so much that I had to go to great lengths to enjoy my week and block it out of my mind.

PLEASE BORG, PLEASE HELP STOP THIS BY HAVING PEOPLE REPORT IT AND THEN BUSTING THE REAL CRIMINALS

[ohCarie]

Yes! On Saturday before opening I heard on BMIR that someone had lost their cat and they were asking people to keep an eye out. I was worried about my sickly cat at home, but could not conceive of bringing him to burning man! Later that night, we were cruising around on our art car and I noticed a black dog wandering in the crowd. He looked comfortable and well cared for but was not even supervised and could have gotten under the car in the melee or worse. I worried about him for a while. The cat too.

I was talking with another burner and they said they also saw a cat. Now I take my dog everywhere, but cannot imagine what possesses people to bring them to the desert..for a week..with explosions.. and no vet services. Unimaginable. Not to mention, they were actually lost...ON THE FIRST DAY! Who are these people??

[shroom]

I thought one of the rules was no pets? I would never bring a pet!

[Bob]

If they're DPW service animals, they've been out there a month longer than you have.

[AntiM]

There are DPW ranch dogs who have been attending longer than I have. Must be getting old. I once met a First Camp cat, content and pampered with their own golf cart and driver. Ten years ago?

[ZaphodBurner]

There are DPW ranch dogs who have been attending longer than I have. Must be getting old. I once met a First Camp cat, content and pampered with their own golf cart and driver. Ten years ago?

If it belongs to the person I think it does, one of the reason he didn't go this year is because they will no longer allow the cat.

[shroom]

DPW animals are one thing, people bringing their cats and dogs in and losing them are unacceptable.

[junglesmacks]

It disturbs me so much that I am almost glad I am not going next year.

[Candybox]

I know, right?

I saw a chihuahua roaming a camp right as we were heading out for exodus. As humans, we get playa lung and playa foot from the harsh alcali dust. Our eyes get seared by the sun and irritated by the dust-storms. But we have dust-masks and boots and shades and goggles. Animals don't get the benefit of having gear, and they have much more sensitive noses to boot. And if you're inconsiderate enough to bring your dog to the playa, I'm assuming you're letting it pee all over the playa too.

[MacGlenver]

I saw someone who brought a pony to the playa this year.

Man.. can't believe it's over already!

[pink]

One of my campmates found his daughter's two cats as stowaways in his trailer only when searched at Gate. After unloading, he drove his bus (yes bus) to Gerlach hoping to find a pet sitter until after the event. A few hours later he returned-pet sitter found, kitty litter and food arranged.

On the other hand, i hoped for a playa sterilization of the ants that stowed away in my van.

[AntiM]

There are DPW ranch dogs who have been attending longer than I have. Must be getting old. I once met a First Camp cat, content and pampered with their own golf cart and driver. Ten years ago?

If it belongs to the person I think it does, one of the reason he didn't go this year is because they will no longer allow the cat.

A good idea. Pampered still doesn't make it right.

Someone near us brought in a wasps nest, they were hanging around BDC shade structures... unless it was one tough, ambitious wasp. There was a scorpion too, but I didn't get to see it. Got named MOOP, was secured and cared for, then released after. Yikes.

[gyre]

Cats have stowed away before.

They aren't usually amused to wake up there.

[Homiesinheaven]

alright so who brought the playa goose?!



it flew down on my camp panting and quickly disappeared after people chased it with cameras and water. weirdness!

[shroom]

That goose wanted to see the burn!

[gyre]

trivia

I'm told that the best way to chase geese off is with a green gunsight laser.
Supposed to freak them out at night.

May work on ravers.

[TinkerMom]

This is MOOP our pet for the week. Pretty close to 2 inches long. We secured him in a jar with proper
venting and housing. It helps when two of us have gone to herp school.
We set him loose on Tues way way way out on the back roads.

[danibel]

I saw a cute doggie in an RV/art car out there. I assumed it was a DPW dog. While it was all crazy and loud the doggie was just hanging out in the RV. Keeping watch.

I would never bring a pet, but mostly because I wouldn't want to care for it. It's hard enough to care for myself.

And there are doggles to be bought at pet stores. They may even have sunglass doggles. My ex has a pair for his dog. The dog likes to hang his head out the window in the car and this way he doesn't get bugs or dirt in eyes.

[lemur]

[stinkyfoot]

I saw some chick with one of those little fluffy pee-pee dogs on the last Monday by a bank of RV's near H and 2. I felt pretty bad for it.

[ZaphodBurner]

alright so who brought the playa goose?!

!

Yes!! Love the photo! We saw it flying low straight up 9 toward the Man, twice, like it knew exactly where it was going. We all cheered it and yelled at it to slow the fuck down.

All of the other geese were out there going "Form up. We're flying south" and he's like "Fuck all of you flak targets, I'm gonna go crash Burning Man!"

[Bob]

Not totally surprised to see a goose, there are a few reservoirs not far off the playa that attract migratory waterfowl.

Found a garden snail one year, near an art installation that consisted of green tree limbs. Pretty sure the artist was from Point Arena, and sure enough, the snail was crawling slowly westward trying to get back Home. I named him Snorkel and provided him with some lettuce and water, but he disappeared when someone accidentally bussed him off a Commissary table.

[skippy3k]

I named him Snorkel and provided him with some lettuce and water, but he disappeared when someone accidentally bussed him off a Commissary table.

Yummy.

[Drawingablank]

I thought one of the rules was no pets? I would never bring a pet!

Actually, I believe the rule is no dogs - with no mention of other animals, but I agree that it is a pretty harsh environment for any animal.

[theCryptofishist]

I saw a large parrot (a macaw, I think) more than once in the early to mid- naughts.

[SquirrelHead]

We saw a heron fly over the camp mid week. MOOP was a cool visitor to see (in the jar).

[Patiencepie]

There was a dog out at walk in camping and when I asked about it I was told it was "grandfathered in" been coming a long time, still it ran out and bit my friend on the foot which was lame, another great example of why not to bring a pet out there.

[Bob]

Or your friend, maybe.

[lucky420]

i saw a skunk