Hurricane Evucation Question

[Katu]

I've been reading so many stories of people who have HAD to abandon their pets. It's not true that shelters allow pets. I've heard that none allow birds (exotics pets). I've read one first person perspective from someone who had to leave her CAGs behind. She put them in a closet. She had no choice at all. This sort of news is so devastating. I can't begin to imagine. I wish shelters allowed pets in carriers at least, and didn't limit it to 1 single pet. So horrible.

 

[Sandy19]

There are some shelters here that allow pets, but they're keeping the people and pets separate. So you have to drop your pet off at a different area and hope they're safe. They're certainly not making it very convenient.

 

[plumsmum2005]

There was an article tonight on Sky News that showed one shelter that was full but allowed all pets, people and pets together. One pet shop was taking pets in and preparing to board up and hunker down, there would be people stay with.

I cannot imagine what this type of disaster is like to have to cope with. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected.

 

[Scott]

I'm in east central Florida so we decided to stay, we're only expected to get tropical storm force winds and hurricane gusts. Peanut knows something is coming though, I took her out on the front porch for a while and she didn't want to be out there. She's been in her cage most of the day and hasn't made a peep, normally she would be calling me non-stop to let her out.

Good luck to you and yours!

Interesting article about birds, hurricanes and other violent weather: https://www.forbes.com/sites/grrlscientist/2017/09/08/where-do-birds-go-in-a-hurricane/#68dda2a6254a

 

[GaleriaGila]

All my love and hopes and prayers go out to ALL of you who are facing hurricane terrors. Please be safe and know that we here are all holding you in our hearts!

 

[Scott]

I've been reading so many stories of people who have HAD to abandon their pets. It's not true that shelters allow pets. I've heard that none allow birds (exotics pets). I've read one first person perspective from someone who had to leave her CAGs behind. She put them in a closet. She had no choice at all. This sort of news is so devastating. I can't begin to imagine. I wish shelters allowed pets in carriers at least, and didn't limit it to 1 single pet. So horrible.

There are some shelters here that allow pets, but they're keeping the people and pets separate. So you have to drop your pet off at a different area and hope they're safe. They're certainly not making it very convenient.

There was an article tonight on Sky News that showed one shelter that was full but allowed all pets, people and pets together. One pet shop was taking pets in and preparing to board up and hunker down, there would be people stay with.

I cannot imagine what this type of disaster is like to have to cope with. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected.

What??? I thought this was a lesson learned in the aftermath of Katrina? So many folks refused to evacuate and leave pets behind. Now this?? Disgusting and despicable behavior. Easy to understand having persons with pets sequestered in special areas in huge shelters, but one would think in a metropolitan area with multiple shelters there would be pet and no pet accommodations. Keep them together!

 

[plumsmum2005]

Pets just are not seen as important or valuable.

 

[LordTriggs]

just a point to raise to anyone here (might be too late) but any public shelter under laws brought in after Katrina called PETS has to allow any and all pets. They cannot turn anyone away or they can face prosecution

"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pets_Evacuation_and_Transportation_Standards_Act"

 

[Scott]

Pets just are not seen as important or valuable.

Sadly that is the bottom line. In most U.S. jurisdictions, companion animals are considered low-value "property." This does not diminish the outpouring of love many have, but when laws are invoked, the animal (and owner) gets the short end of the stick.

Legally documented service animals are an entirely different matter and are given great legal support.

 

[Scott]

just a point to raise to anyone here (might be too late) but any public shelter under laws brought in after Katrina called PETS has to allow any and all pets. They cannot turn anyone away or they can face prosecution

"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pets_Evacuation_and_Transportation_Standards_Act"

Couldn't get the Wiki link to work, but you are correct about the PETS law. Found this page that explains the essentials:

https://www.animallaw.info/intro/state-and-federal-disaster-planning-laws-and-pets

States with animal disaster laws: https://www.animallaw.info/content/map-states-disaster-planning-laws

Florida: https://www.animallaw.info/statute/fl-disaster-2523568-emergency-sheltering-persons-pets

Either the "strategies" for coping are ill-defined or ignored in the heat-of-the-battle?

Hotels and pets? Snopes article: http://www.snopes.com/fema-pets/