Evacuation shelters

[cancunkid]

They just had a story on CNN about an elderly couple and their dog being rescued from their apartment today. Over and over you see people with their pets who have not evacuated because of their pets. Why don't they have shelters you can bring pets? I know it would make places like the superdome even worse but what is a bit more poop when you can ultimately maybe have fewer dead people. I am a professional pet sitter so I know how people are about their "babies" especially elderly people who are home with them all day they will not leave them PERIOD. Does anyone have any suggestions what could be done in the future to encourage these people to safety other than making maybe a couple of the safer buildings pet friendly? Most of the time people are in the actual shelter no more than 12 hours or so? I don't really know how long but I just keep seeing this every single time there is a hurricane. My sisters m-i-l stayed in PG during Charley with a 98 year old next door neighbor who wouldn't leave her little dog.

[Houstonia]

They just had a story on CNN about an elderly couple and their dog being rescued from their apartment today. Over and over you see people with their pets who have not evacuated because of their pets. Why don't they have shelters you can bring pets? I know it would make places like the superdome even worse but what is a bit more poop when you can ultimately maybe have fewer dead people. I am a professional pet sitter so I know how people are about their "babies" especially elderly people who are home with them all day they will not leave them PERIOD. Does anyone have any suggestions what could be done in the future to encourage these people to safety other than making maybe a couple of the safer buildings pet friendly? Most of the time people are in the actual shelter no more than 12 hours or so? I don't really know how long but I just keep seeing this every single time there is a hurricane. My sisters m-i-l stayed in PG during Charley with a 98 year old next door neighbor who wouldn't leave her little dog.

My parents have stated they would not leave their house because of their dog. This worries me greatly. I think the whole practice of not accepting pets is archaic and dangerous. I think shelters could easily consider dividing up the shelters - 1 side for pets/1 side for no pets. I realize people have allergies, so i think most shelters should have specifically non-pet areas or be completely non-pet shelters.

I do realize that the sanitation would be a problem. Dogs go outside - can you imagine how bad a small courtyard or yard would be after 200 evacueess with their pets stayed for longer than a couple of days?

I'm not sure how to deal with that other than to require owners to pick up after their pets and provide doggie "disposal bags".

I realize that there are people who say that animals are not as important as human lives. However, when the animal dictates whether your elderly parent or relative or neighbor leave or not, lives or dies - I think it's time to accept the important position animals have in our lives.

[therealashe]

The problem with shelters accepting pets is not only the allergy and sanitation aspect... it's the liability. They don't know if a dog is socialized or not. Can you imagine a dog or two getting into a fight? Biting a child who wandered up to pet the dog?

I don't know what the answer is to this, other than to take your pet and head north, west or whereever to a hotel.

[Houstonia]

The problem with shelters accepting pets is not only the allergy and sanitation aspect... it's the liability. They don't know if a dog is socialized or not. Can you imagine a dog or two getting into a fight? Biting a child who wandered up to pet the dog?

I don't know what the answer is to this, other than to take your pet and head north, west or whereever to a hotel.

I don't know... what do they do about liability at dog parks? because i know there are all types of dogs and kids mingling there!

maybe the shelters could do something similar... i don't have a clue..

[themusk]

Actually, for this very reason, more and more shelters which accept pets are becoming available during disasters, and it's current Fed policy to strongly encourage emergency planning for pets. The Red Cross is dragging its heels on permitting pets in its shelters, but many other organizations around the country have taken up the slack.

[birdwomn]

Actually, for this very reason, more and more shelters which accept pets are becoming available during disasters, and it's current Fed policy to strongly encourage emergency planning for pets. The Red Cross is dragging its heels on permitting pets in its shelters, but many other organizations around the country have taken up the slack.

Here in FL almost every area has at least one "pet friendly" shelter. That said, we have to save people first. While I evacaute with my 4 large parrots, 3 dogs, and a cat...I could not imagine doing that and going to a shelter and taking up space that could hold a family. I have to make other arrangements. It has worked out well so far, but we have been very fortunate and have only been gone for a day or two...nothing like this.

[weatherSnoop]

I do know that many of the hotels in Fla now wave their "no pet policy" during evacuation times. There are more and more pet-friendly shelters opening. I remember in 1985 putting a raincoat on a Golden Retriever and having her walk into the room on hinds legs. Times are changing slowly. (BTW...got tossed from that hotel at 3:00 am cause the hidden Sheltie barked)