Pet Friendly Disaster Shelters

Got this in my email today. Considerin' we had our own hurricane last year and floods from the remnants of another one a few weeks ago, this is something I know about. I'd like to encourage people to check out the petition askin' the Red Cross to have pet-friendly shelters available during any kind of disaster. The hurricane season isn't over until the end of November so something should be done ASAP.

"Keep Pets Safe During Disasters - Ask Red Cross to Adopt National Program - The Petition Site

"The reason The Red Cross has given for not permitting people to bring their animals with them is that they don't want animals where they are preparing food. This doesn't make much sense to me because I don't envision the animals being in the kitchen area. And the rest of us eat with our pets all the time (well, most of the time anyway).

"In Jacksonville [FL] we are hoping that our City Council will designate a few of the shelters as pet friendly, so that people and families can bring their dogs, cats, ferrets, birds, lizards, whatever with them - as long as they have crates or pens to house them. I can't image anything more horrible than having to leave [a] home which is unsafe for humans...and leaving your pets inside without food, water, or any supervision. A home unsafe for us is, by definition, unsafe for our pets as well.

"Many times the homes are in areas which are cordoned off for days and the owners are not allowed to return. And the Animal Shelters in south Florida where the…hurricanes have hit are overflowing with animals which were/are running loose after the storm passes. At least the animals with their families in shelters would return home with the family. They would not be running loose - causing a danger to themselves and others.

"We also think that the children (adults, too, actually) in families which bring their pets will be less anxious. The pets will provide comfort and entertainment for the children and adults. Designated potty areas can be provided the dogs like they do at indoor dog shows - sawdust and shavings to designated areas.

"There have been reports of many many people refusing to leave their homes because they cannot take their pets with them. During Hurricane Charley at least one man was found dead in his mobile home, clutching his dead dog. He would not leave his dog behind. They died together.

"We don't see any reason why a few of the shelters can't be pet-friendly, but it will take public outcry to get the job done. In fact, we predict that the pet-friendly family shelters will be cleaner and in better order after the disaster than the shelters without pets.

"Please feel free to pass this request on to your neighbors, family, and friends who are also pet lovers. The more signatures we can get on the petition, the better. And, if you have the opportunity to talk with your city officials, put in a plug for pet-friendly shelters. This isn't just a Florida issue."

posted by Harrison at 8:59 PM