How to Find a Pet-Friendly Hurricane Shelter

A 2006 survey found that 44 percent of the people of New Orleans who remained at home when Hurricane Katrina hit did so because of a pet, while only 18 percent failed to evacuate because they wouldn't leave a family member behind. Municipalities must face the fact that most people with pets consider them part of their family, and communities need pet-friendly hurricane shelters where both people and pets can be safe.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Determine if you will need to evacuate to a pet-friendly shelter if a hurricane (or other disaster) comes your way. Public shelters should be used as a last resort, after you've attempted to locate a family member, friend or motel out of the storm area where you can ride out the worst safely with all your family members, including the furry, feathered or scaly ones. Get your plan together before the storm season gets underway.

2. Figure out where to go. If you won't be able to evacuate to a family member or friend's home or a motel out of the evacuation zone, talk to your local city or county emergency management department. Ask if they currently have a pet-friendly shelter and if so, what arrangements you need to make now in case you'll need to evacuate to it in a few months.

3. Decide what to do if your municipality will not open a pet-friendly shelter and you have no other options. Find out if you will be able to register for a pet-friendly shelter in a nearby county. Some only allow residents of their own county to use the shelters; others allow residents of neighboring counties to also use their facility.

4. Get involved if your city or county doesn't have a pet-friendly shelter. Talk to officials and remind them about the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS) of 2006. PETS mandates that state and local government address the needs of people with pets and service animals following a disaster if they want to be able to qualify for FEMA funds to help them develop pet-friendly plans and facilities.

5. Form a grassroots group to pressure your municipality into providing a pet-friendly shelter. Initiate a petition drive for concerned residents to sign, put together a mission statement, including why a pet-friendly shelter is needed, and request to be placed on the city or county's commission agenda to get the discussion rolling on a community level.

6. Keep pushing until your community designates a pet-friendly shelter. Until then, remember that Red Cross shelters do not allow pets. Organize an emergency kit for yourself and your pet, be sure your pet is wearing a collar and a current identification tag and carry proof that its immunizations are up to date. If you leave your home, take your pet; don't leave it in peril during an evacuation.

Tips & Warnings

• Sometimes area Humane Society shelters, veterinarian's offices or dog kennels will offer to shelter your pet during evacuations. But if your house is in peril, chances are their buildings will be, too. In addition, this option separates you from your pet - never a good idea. Always take your pet(s) along wherever you flee a disaster.

Resources

• Offers a pet-friendly, Florida county-by-county hurricane shelter guide.
• Provides links to emergency management departments nationwide.
• Get storm updates from the National Hurricane Center.