Hurricane Sandy: Pet Friendly Shelters, Disaster, Evac for Pets
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Pet Evacuation, Pet Friendly Emergency Shelters, Disaster Preparedness for Pets
National Hurricane Center
Check National Hurricane Center updates.
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency): Information for Pet Owners
If you evacuate your home, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND! Pets most likely cannot survive on their own; and if by some remote chance they do, you may not be able to find them when you return. If you are going to a public shelter, it is important to understand that animals may not be allowed inside. Plan in advance for shelter alternatives that will work for both you and your pets; consider loved ones or friends outside of your immediate area who would be willing to host you and your pets in an emergency.
The Humane Society of America: Disaster Preparedness for Pets
The key to survival during a disaster, crisis or emergency is to be as prepared as possible before the storm hits. Take the time to make a plan and assemble an emergency kit for you and your pet and you will greatly increase your pet’s chances of survival.
American Red Cross: Pets and Disaster
Local and state health and safety regulations do not permit the Red Cross to allow pets in disaster shelters. (Service animals are allowed in Red Cross shelters.). It may be difficult, if not impossible, to find shelter for your animals in the midst of a disaster, so plan ahead. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL DISASTER STRIKES TO DO YOUR RESEARCH.
* The best option is to get a friend or relative outside the evacuation area to take your pets, and preferably you, too. If that’s not possible, try locating a pet friendly motel or one that waives animal prohibitions during evacuations.
* Prepare a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians who could shelter animals in an emergency; include 24-hour phone numbers.
* You may not be home when the evacuation order comes; find out if a trusted neighbor would be willing to take your pets and meet you at a prearranged location.
WHAT IS PET FRIENDLY EVACUATION SHELTERING?
Pet-friendly evacuation sheltering can be planned and executed in a multitude of ways. In some communities, the human evacuation shelter is within the same room, facility, or campus as accommodations for pets. This allows the animals’ owners to have a large role in caring for the pet. In other communities, the human shelter and pet shelter may be in separate locations. In this case, evacuees are told where to bring their pets, while they will be staying at a shelter for people.
If you will need to go to a pet friendly shelter during an evacuation, make sure you have the following items ready to go for your pet: a leash and collar, a crate, a two-week supply of food and water, your pets’ vaccination records, medications, and written instructions for feeding and administering medication. If your favorite four-legged friend is feline, be sure you bring kitty-litter and an appropriate container, too.
The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS Act) of 2006 requires local and state emergency preparedness authorities to include in their evacuation plans how they will accommodate household pets and service animals in the event of a major disaster. Local and state authorities must submit these plans in order to qualify for grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Currently, not all communities offer pet friendly emergency/evacuation shelters.
TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS A PET FRIENDLY SHELTER IN YOUR AREA, CALL YOUR COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICE OR LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER.
Many thanks to PetTravel for this important story and a hat tip to my friend Tonya Formby.
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Mike, thank you. Shared.
Thanks Erin.
Thanks so much for this man. Need it now.