Pets

First off let’s make one thing perfectly clear! No matter what you may have been told, no matter what you have heard from whatever expert on disasters and so forth, you will not be able to keep/maintain you favorite family member “Wally the dog”, in any shelter that has been designated specifically for humans, period!

After Hurricane Katrina there were wide-spread rumors (via the news, etc) that because people wouldn’t leave their homes without the family pets, that shelters had to start allowing animals in so that the people would agree to being evacuated. Nothing could be further from the truth! Helicopter based rescue personnel were the only ones that altered their operating procedures to accommodate animals. But this was based on a case by case basis and at the time the helo-crew was performing the rescue. Once they made it to the shelter that animals had to stay outside. The issues are multiple: The inability to control an animal in a high stress environment. The inability to guarantee feeding of said animal (and as we all know when an animal gets really hungry they will often revert to instinct to provide for themselves. And if you don’t believe me try putting your hand into a starving dogs cage, see what happens), diseases carried by animals, regulating where the animals releases bodily fluid, and the list goes on and on. At the NOLA Louis Armstrong Airport when any displaced person showed up with an animal, the animal was separated from their owner and place with a Federal VMAT (Veterinarian Medical Assistance Team) Member whom then took the animal to a place with a lot less stimulation by humans and there the animal would be fed, given a check-up, played with a little bit, then placed into a carrier prior to being returned to their owner upon departure.

So, you will need to plan for them. Here are a few ideas:

1. Food for the pet?

a.       Make a pack for kids? Make a pack for your pets (Food, Toys, etc.)

b.      Use a pet carrier if you have one.

2. Take with or leave behind?

a.       If you’re headed to a shelter, you will not be able to bring your pets inside, PERIOD! Can’t sneak them in either!

b.      Animals cannot be controlled in this type of environment and can pose a significant health issue, therefore are not allowed.

c.       If you leave them at home make sure they have food and water and expect that they may get away.      

3. You will need a leash, whether the animal is trained or not. This type of an environment can scare even the most docile animal into a flight or fight response, it is in their nature.

4. Keep copies of current shot records & valid tags to ensure return if they are lost as well as the ability to avoid quarantines.