What are your emergency plans for your pets?

[Patiod]

400 people were displaced by an 8-alarm inferno in my town which started at 4pm yesterday. It was a pet-friendly apartment building, and it was heartbreaking to see all the people in the news looking for their pets. Most of the victims were young couples who were working in the city, and by the time they made it home, no one was allowed back in the complex. Aside from one person who collapsed from emotion and a firefight who had smoke inhalation, all the people were okay, but many, many were separated from their pets.

If you don't work at home, do you have a plan for getting your pets out if there's an emergency where you live?


(Note: the building pictured is where the fire started, in UNoccupied units - most of the units with pets are only partially burned)

[BrklynLiberal]

1. What a terrible looking fire.

I live right on the coastline, so I must have preparations.
In my garage I have carriers for the cats, and inside my front door I have a muzzle for my dog.
With all these things, I can get into my car quickly and then use public transportation if I have to.
I also believe that the rules for most shelters now allow you to bring your pets.
I do know that I cannot imagine EVER leaving them behind.

It is an important thing to plan for.

[demnan]

2. I have a security system attached to a fire alarm

if there is ever a fire in my condo the police/fire rescue will be alerted first and then I will be called. It was extremely expensive, but for 36 bucks a month (I bought the equipment) I have peace of mind.

[MadMaddie]

5. Can you share the type of equipment you purchased?

I would pay the 36 bucks also.

[dropkickpa]

3. Mine

Should a fire erupt, I have a couple plans. Unless we are sleeping, Agatha is always with me. If we are sleeping, we have to go past her crate to get out anyway, so she's coming with me no matter what. If we aren't home, I update my pet and tot finder stickers on my front window every year, dating them, with a note that the dog is located in the dining room and a sticker on the window next to her crate. I keep a leash hanging by her crate and by the door, plus one on my porch.

The guinea pigs would be tough, as my priority would be getting my kid, then dog, out. I would have to capture two of them from here

and stuff them in the 3rd's cage (it's easily transportable), and ignore their fighting (the white one HATES the other two and, fire or no, it would be GAME ON).


Everyone in my family lives within 1.5 miles, and all would welcome us in, so shelter at least wouldn't be a worry. I live in an over/under duplex and the smoke detectors that are hard wired in to the main wiring will go off in both apartments when they are set off (they also have battery backup). I also have a second smoke detector in each room that is just battery operated. I test them and also replace the batteries every 6 months, I'm a little paranoid, I know several people who've lost everything to fires.

[spooky3]

4. I put a little notice by the front and back door

that tells emergency workers to take my cats to their vet or the emergency vet (with address and phone) if something happens at the house while I am not home or can't talk to them. The cats' names are on the notice because one knows his name, and the other is learning his (have had him only 2 weeks), and they are more likely to come when called by a stranger if the name is used.

My brother knows the passcodes to my cell phone and laptop and how to find emergency info about the cats (e.g., pet sitters, medications) on each device.

It's just a few of many steps we need to take.

[MountainLaurel]

6. Mr. Laurel goes to school 2 blocks away

And would likely hear it if there was a convergence of sirens.

But regarding other emergencies living in New Orleans, we definitely have an emergency plan -- we don't take changes with evacuating. If it looks serious, we, the two dogs, and the cat (whose soft carrier is in the closet, easy to reach) are headed out of there.