# 4554
Katrina Headed For New Orleans
When Hurricane Katrina set its course towards the city of New Orleans in 2005, hundreds of thousands of people were told to evacuate on very short notice. Many of these evacuees were pet owners, and they quickly learned that evacuation busses – and most emergency shelters – were unable to accommodate their beloved animals.
For many, this led to an agonizing decision.
To stay and ride out the storm, or leave their pets behind with food and water for a couple of days, and pray they would be allowed to return in that time.
Something that we know, became impossible for most residents.
In the days and weeks that followed the storm, thousands of animals were rescued from miserable conditions by volunteers, such as those working for the North Shore Animal League. You can read a number of these rescue accounts by clicking on the image below:
In the wake of the tragic images and heartbreaking stories of loss coming from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita that year, Congress passed what is called the PETS Act, which amends the existing Emergency Assistance and Disaster Relief Act to:
“. . . . ensure that State and local emergency preparedness operational plans address the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster or emergency.
The PETS Act authorizes FEMA to provide rescue, care, shelter, and essential needs for individuals with household pets and service animals, and to the household pets and animals themselves following a major disaster or emergency.” - PETS Act FAQ
Which means that most counties now have some availability of Pet-Friendly emergency shelters . . . but space is always limited, some require advance registration, and not all pets owners can be accommodated.
A quick look at my own county’s (Pasco, Fl Pop. roughly 500K) plan shows that they `will designate one of its schools as an animal shelter. Pet owners, however, will stay at a separate, nearby shelter The shelter is for dogs and cats only.’
And neighboring Pinellas County (pop 900K) has plans for 3 pet-friendly shelters (pre-registration required), which they believe will accommodate a total of about 700 dogs and cats.
Which means you can’t count on getting into a pet-friendly shelter at the last minute. These shelters should be your last resort, not your first option. You need to be planning now on how you will provide for your pets during a disaster.
Today is National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day, and FEMA asks that you take the time today to develop a plan.
First the FEMA press release, then a few resources that may help.
FEMA Encourages Pet Owners to Take Steps to Prepare Their Pets on National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day This Saturday
FEMA Shares Message from Deputy Administrator Rich Serino
Release Date: May 7, 2010
Release Number: HQ-10-096WASHINGTON - With less than a month until the beginning of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season on June 1, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urges Americans to ensure their families, homes and businesses are prepared for the risks associated with hurricanes, tropical storms and other emergencies. Individuals and families are encouraged to have a family communications plan, put together an emergency kit and include their pets in their planning efforts. FEMA recognizes Saturday, May 8, 2010 as National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day.
"As hurricane season approaches, FEMA is coordinating with state and local officials to ensure that all communities along the coast are prepared to respond. But we can only be as prepared as the public, and so it's important that everyone take steps now to help keep their family safe in the event of a hurricane or other emergency. This includes their pets," said FEMA Deputy Administrator Rich Serino.
FEMA encourages pet owners to take the following steps:
- Be informed: Know what emergencies happen in your community and how those events could impact your pet;
- Prepare: Put together pet emergency kit specific to your pets needs; and
- Plan: Develop a plan for what you will do with your pets in the event of an emergency. To learn more about the steps pet owners can take to prepare your pets for a disaster.
To learn what you can do to prepare your family and your pets, visit www.Ready.gov.
To view a message from FEMA Deputy Administrator Rich Serino, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF9qcLyHQzo
From the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), we get this advice:
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. By taking these steps now, you will greatly increase your pet’s chances of survival.
Before the Disaster
- Prepare for Everyday Emergencies
- Disaster Supply Checklist for Pets
- Find a Safe Place Ahead of Time
- In Case You're Not Home
- Don't Forget ID
- Tips for horses and farm animals
During the Disaster
After the Disaster
And from the American Red Cross, we get this information:
Pets
The best way to protect your family from the effects of a disaster is to have a disaster plan. If you are a pet owner, that plan must include your pets. Being prepared can save their lives.
Different disasters require different responses. But whether the disaster is a hurricane or a hazardous spill, you may have to evacuate your home.
In the event of a disaster, if you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to evacuate them, too. Leaving pets behind, even if you try to create a safe place for them, is likely to result in their being injured, lost, or worse. So prepare now for the day when you and your pets may have to leave your home. The Red Cross recommends the following:
Have a Safe Place To Take Your Pets
- Local and state health and safety regulations do not permit the Red Cross to allow pets in disaster shelters. Service animals which assist people with disabilities are the only animals allowed in Red Cross shelters. It may be difficult, if not impossible, to find shelter for your animals in the midst of an evacuation, so plan ahead. Do not wait until disaster strikes!
- Contact hotels and motels outside your local area to check their policies on accepting pets and restrictions on number, size and species. Ask if "no pet" policies could be waived in an emergency. Keep a list of "pet friendly" places, including phone numbers, with your other disaster information and supplies. If you are alerted to an impending disaster, call ahead for reservations.
- Ask friends, relatives or others outside the affected area whether they could shelter your animals. If you have more than one pet, they may be more comfortable if kept together, but be prepared to house them separately.
- Make a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians who could shelter animals in an emergency; include 24-hour phone numbers.
- Ask local animal shelters if they provide emergency shelter or foster care for pets during a disaster. Animal shelters may be overwhelmed caring for the animals they already have as well as those displaced by a disaster, so this should be your last resort.
Assemble a Portable Pet Disaster Supplies Kit
- Whether you are away from home for a day or a week, you'll need essential supplies. Keep items in an accessible place and store them in sturdy containers that can be carried easily (a duffle bag or covered trash containers, for example). Your pet disaster supplies kit should include:
- Medications and medical records (stored in a waterproof container) and a first aid kit.
- Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and/or carriers to transport pets safely and ensure that your animals can't escape.
- Current photos of your pets in case they get lost.
- Food, potable water, bowls, cat litter/pan, and can opener.
- Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets.
- Pet bed or toys if easily transportable.
And lastly, I’ve found a couple of sites that attempt to provide state and national contact information for pet owners looking for evacuation information.
While I’m sure the following sites make every attempt to be accurate and up-to-date, you’d be well advised to confirm the availability of any pet-friendly services in your area, since local plans can change.
For Floridians, a county-by-county list of pet-friendly evacuation shelters:
FloridaPets.net 2010 Pet-Friendly Emergency Shelter Guide
Where you and your pet can go if you must evacuate
from your home or vacation location during hurricanes, wildfires or other disasters.
Another site with good information, and a national listing of contact information for pet-friendly emergency shelters is:
Pet Evacuation, Pet Friendly Emergency Shelters, Disaster Preparedness for Pets
Disaster preparedness, for your family and for your pets, isn’t something to start thinking about once the ground starts shaking, the water starts rising, or storm warnings are raised in your area.
As Ready.gov reminds us:
Do it today.
