Emergency plans still exclude pets

Even on the news over here there were stories of people not leaving their homes during Katrina because they didn't want to leave their pets.  I think there is a generally mistaken belief that every single pet owner sees their pets as disposable.  I am not arguing that some do, but to many pet owners, indeed almost everyone on this board from what I can tell, sees pets as family members.  I'd no more leave my dog than my partner, my dad or any other human being.  I'd struggle with taking my fish with me (logistically) but I'd damn well try.
 
This is just another example of human beings seeing themselves as top of the food chain and therefore, most important.  Neither of those things are true.
 
Even if I WERE allergic to dogs, if I were caught in a hurricane and had to leave my home, winding up in a shelter with a dog and suffering because of it would, IMHO, be the least of my worries.  I'd be too grateful for the shelter to whine about the logistics.
 
Kate
 
Kate

I send a letter last month asking them to do something about including pets in the emergency plan.  Then when the news came how pets are allow on the mta bus, I was soo happy.  Though there is no way, I would ever leave without JJ.  The picture of the kid leaving behind his small white puppy as he hop on the bus, stills hunt me.  [>:]

California is considering passing a bill that would require evacuation of animals during a disaster to be mandatory.
Here, in NH, with the flooding this spring even the governor has urged people to not leave pets behind - I thought that was GREAT. He was on the news reminding people that if they did have to leave their homes to please remember to take pets.

Even on the news over here there were stories of people not leaving their homes during Katrina because they didn't want to leave their pets. I think there is a generally mistaken belief that every single pet owner sees their pets as disposable. I am not arguing that some do, but to many pet owners, indeed almost everyone on this board from what I can tell, sees pets as family members. I'd no more leave my dog than my partner, my dad or any other human being. I'd struggle with taking my fish with me (logistically) but I'd damn well try.

This is just another example of human beings seeing themselves as top of the food chain and therefore, most important. Neither of those things are true.

Even if I WERE allergic to dogs, if I were caught in a hurricane and had to leave my home, winding up in a shelter with a dog and suffering because of it would, IMHO, be the least of my worries. I'd be too grateful for the shelter to whine about the logistics.

Kate

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Kate, I am so with you here. I could not and WILL NOT leave behind my pets no matter how many. In fact one year we did have to evacuate and I had something like 11 baby squirlies, and my crew of 14, that included the rescue and fosters, with me when we left. That was a task, but it got done and nobody was worse for the wear of it but me. lol
 
Our county has incorp a few hotels and motels that will take people with pets, on the Emergency preparedness team, we even have a sanctuary that will take in live stock and equines if needed be. We are working feverishly on more places that will allow pets. So far so good.

Here, they are.  They have made arrangements for pet shelters and pet evacuation buses.

ORIGINAL: loveukaykay

Here, they are. They have made arrangements for pet shelters and pet evacuation buses.

How did you get out last time and did you have difficulty taking your dog?

That was a task, but it got done and nobody was worse for the wear of it but me. lol

 
Holy cow I can imagine!  I think I would have needed a stiff drink after an adventure like that, but good for you!  I do have slightly(!) fewer animals than that to worry about, but would do everything in my power to save each and every one of them.  The day I brought Ben home I put him on our fire escape plan.
 
That is excellent that you are trying to get more places to accept pets in emergencies - important and necessary work.  People in disaster situations can lose everything, and I am sure we all turn to our pets for comfort when we need it.  Imagine losing our greatest sources of comfort when we need them most.  That is a devastating idea to me, which is why what you are doing is so critical. [sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif]
 
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Kate

My DH and family still talk about HC Floyd.
I am 7 k-9's strong and 2 felines, 2 cockateils at the moment. No wildlife to deal with just as yet, but that can change at any given moment. Out of the 7, only one is a foster but probably will be part of the pack since he is 16 to 18 yrs old. Kind of hard to find a home for the little guy at this age. And the rest do belong to me.
 
I just happened to be in the right place at the right time to help the city and county EMPP task force being in a small town where everyone knows each other and the many years of service is an added plus. We are still looking for more places to offer their services in allowing people and pets to seek refuge.

No I stayed.... and I would have died with my Kayla before I let anything happen to her.