NBC does Story about Fla Resident's who wouldn't leave their pets really

[KoKo]

incredible. Homeowners who stayed in bathroom with dog while mobile home imploded, parakeets who survived while home blown apart, horse left in pen who beat it's head trying to get out, and has wounds on shanks from kicking in fear to get out of stall...dogs, cats...and those who left who are searching for their pets like folks searched for their loved ones in 9/11. Lots' of elderly who hold up with their best friends to ride it all out.

Really got to one's gut...and says the need for shelters to accept pets or for shelters for pets so people can get out when there is a weather disaster.

NC...at least Raleigh, NC pet owners have addressed this issue trying to urge shelters to accept pets and groups establishing places for pets to go in times of natural disasters.

We need to think about this as a "humanitarian" issue going forward because of folks who won't abandon their pets..no matter what...and those who would evacuate if they knew there was a place for their beloved friends to go if they do...

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

1. There were some shelters that excepted pets...

just not everyone of them did. I'm sure they could have could have gone some place.

[Ezlivin]

2. My cats ARE family

My wife and I never had children, so our cats are our entire family.

There is no way I'd leave "the girls" behind! They'd be with me in their carriers.

[Dudley_DUright]

3. They do have special pet shelters in FL

but as you point out, people don't want to leave their pets (even in a shelter) in a time of crisis. The real solution is to allow pets to come to the shelters (but with stringent rules about how they need to be caged, as in airline travel).

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

12. Some shelters did allow

both people and pets.

[Sporadicus]

4. Here's a Story You Can Count on NBC NOT Doing

interviews with hurricane victims who didn't evacuate and were waylaid because Jeb's warnings centered on the Tampa Bay area.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

15. It's true that it was widely reported that

the hurricane would hit the tampa bay area. I don't really think it was Jeb's fault. This is what the meteorologists were predicting. However, there was a hurricane warning for most of the west coast. People on the west coast should have moved inland to avoid the possibilty of getting slammed by the hurricane.

[Eloriel]

20. But the meteorologists didn't do the EVACUATION orders

that's a "civilian" job -- and meteorologists usually provide a pretty wide swath of possible hits.

[RivetJoint]

25. It's personal responsibility

Having lived in New Orleans for a good many years, when a hurricane was forecast to even look like it was heading toward the LA coast, we left. Period. Yeah, we spent a lot of time with family up in Northern LA for storms that never hit, but at least we were safe. We didn't need any "civilian" to tell us to split.

[MuseRider]

5. I wouldn't have left mine.

With enough warning there are people with horse trailers (I can't think of the name of the group) who will go rescue horses and take them out of harms way. We did it during prairie fires one year, it was awful. I would never leave my pets, this must have been hard to watch.

[hlthe2b]

8. that's quite a positive image in your sigline, btw....

[MuseRider]

11. Thanks.

I got it from Feanorcurufinwe, he got it from the blog and he had it on a post and I fell for it. I wanted to keep my DK avatar because I still believe in him but I wanted to show my absolute support for Kerry/Edwards too. That photo just said a lot to me and it is so beautiful. Sometimes I click on one of my posts just to look at it LOL!

[hlthe2b]

6. Reminds me of an NPR piece on wildfires last week...

I only heard a bit of it, but seems the homeowners had to leave quickly without their dog when the flash fire turned suddenly back on them. I've been devastated by that since hearing it. I don't know the details, but I can tell you one thing. My dog would be right with me if there were fires in the area, or hurricane /tornado warnings out. She would be the very FIRST thing I grabbed to evacuate. I'm so very sorry for the pet owners in FLA, who did not evacuate because the shelters wouldn't allow their pets. This is horrendous in my opinion and something that needs to change. Companion Dogs/cats are not threats to humans in shelters and should be accomodated. That's what we call emergency measures, right?

As for the horse, I wish they would have freed him to make a run for it. If there was no where inland to take him, that might have been the better option. At least he did survive.

Bless all the people and their loving pets. I'm so sad for the elderly and others who were left to fend for themselves in trailers and substandard housing. Such a nightmare...

[truth2power]

7. Good idea, Koko.

Forming groups to keep people's pets when a weather disaster is expected.

Although I live in the Midwest (don't know how much help I could be) but I would be willing to temporarily house someone's pet until an emergency is over.

edit> formatting

[Wcross]

9. I couldn't leave mine...

You are right about allowing animals in shelters. If it came down to leaving them to fend for themselves or staying put to ride it out with them I would have to stay.

[Bluebear]

10. Hi, they moved my thread to the DU Lounge.....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=1537347&mesg_id=1537347

but this thread has some information including an article from 2 years ago asking why there are not pet-friendly shelters in Florida. I think it is important reading for animal lovers.



Sherry Kicklighter holds her dog Skittles after being blocked from staying at a hurricane shelter in Port Charlotte. Her home and car were destroyed in the Maple Leaf Golf and Country Club in Port Charlotte following hurricane Charley. Kicklighter and her dog were offered alternate housing by a person who noticed her situation. (GARTH FRANCIS/news-press.com)

[KoKo]

13. Thanks...will check out your post...Pets ARE a factor for all of us,,don't

know why your post was moved but thanks for the link. I just think this is so important. My pets travel with me..because I've not had reliable sitters for them.

AND, it goes beyond the elederly today. Many folks are deciding NOT to have children and their pets ARE their family...so it cuts across a wider spectrum than "Aunt Sadie who won't leave her cat" where everyone can guffaw and say: "OmG..who would die for their Pet?...not me!"

[G_j]

18. I wouldn't leave mine either n/t

[goclark]

14. That is exactly what I would do

I would not leave my sweet dog for anything.
He is coming with me whereever I go.

My prayers for all the people and all the pets.

ps/ Reminds me of Chimp. Poor little Barney would get left behind in a heart beat.
He hates his owners.

[Shopaholic]

16. I would never leave my animals if I couldn't take them with me

to a shelter. I'm currently without a dog because my beloved dachshund died last year at age 15. But he was my child! I've never married (yet) and I don't have kids so my dogs are my children. This happens all the time. And hotels/motels often don't take them either so your choices are really, really limited.

[kayell]

17. Hello fellow SCer. Here's some info on evacuating with animals in SC

http://www.clemson.edu/ep/disast6.htm

http://www.clemson.edu/ep/MOTELS.HTM
Motels that take pets by county

http://www.scemd.org/library/brochures/04hurricaneguide/pet.html

[amazona]

19. well i'm of two minds here

I have been in situations where I didn't evacuate, when I should have, because I couldn't take my birds.

On the other hand, some people have pet cats, and I have also been in situations where I have very rapidly, in a matter of hours, suffered severe respiratory symptoms and have had my eyes swollen closed because of the presence of cats.

A great many people have respiratory issues, asthma, and allergy, and can't be packed in with fur-bearing animals.

Not sure what the answer is but in my case I have chosen to provide transport cages for my birds and keep my fuel efficient car gassed so that I can travel several hundred miles, where I can get my own hotel room.

I can see where this isn't an option for many older retired people who are no longer able to drive.

[KoKo]

21. I know... there's an "allergy issue." That's why a separate shelter might

make sense. But with very elderly who might not have friends or relatives close by, getting to two different shelters might be a problem.

Maybe folks who could volunteer to pick up the pets when a storm is coming would be a help. Something for us "animal lovers" to think about for the future, maybe. Our "Cat Rescue Mission" here in Raleigh is ongoing and has plans for this. It would be great if we had kind souls with some funds and ability to raise funds in disaster prone areas of US who could get a "network" going.

Sort of a Website devoted to "Emergency Pet Care" like a Hotel Directory. Some vets might also get involved, because they might already have secure facilities. It doesn't beat staying with your pet and deciding to go with them if you are going to go...but for families with children, it's too much to ask them to forgo shelter for pets...it's priorties. Those folks would want to have a place they thought would care for their pets that was secure in an emergency? :shrug:

[TankLV]

22. I would never leave my boys and girls.

Either they take us all, or I stay to protect them.

I will never leave my FAMILY behind.

It's that simple.

[welshTerrier2]

23. this is a real health hazard

it is clear that it puts not just the health of pets at risk but their owner's health as well ... clearly a more humane, pro-pet, policy is needed ...

if pets in shelters present problems, SOLVE THEM !!

[Dem2theMax]

24. This one is easy for me.

If my pets don't go, I don't go. Period. They are my FAMILY.

[MoonRiver]

27. Same here. My dog is like my child. No way would I desert her!

[Ilsa]

26. I'm very allergic to pet dander, but even I realize

that pets are family for most people, and it is inconceivable to leave them. A better system is needed. These pets provide a HUGE service to people, especially the elderly.

Cat dander is the worst for me. I get miserable almost immediately. I used to take shots, and it helped some for a about five years, but now I can't afford to go back on allergy meds; it's too unmanageable at this time in my life.

[phylny]

28. I can't imagine

having to leave my dog behind. When we lived in the midwest, we'd haul her downstairs during tornadic weather. During Hurricane Isabel (the last one we experienced when I lived in Virginia) we didn't have to evacuate, but I made sure I had all her supplies handy, and she shared our bottled water because we couldn't drink what came out of the tap for days. Of course, I had enough supplies because living near D.C., the government made sure to scare the hell out of us at regular intervals with terra alerts. ;)

Don't most places use schools and other such buildings as shelters? I realize that in some cases the shelter may be small, but in places where they have the room, I don't see why you can't have a small portion of the shelter (a classroom?) devoted to dogs, another to cats, and yet another to other small animals. This way, those allergic to animals wouldn't be inconvenienced, yet others would have their pets with them.