What would you do with your dog(s) in an emergency?
If you had to evacuate your home due to a natural disaster (hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake, etc), or a man-made disaster (chemical spill, fire, gas leak, terrorist attack, etc), what would you do with your pets? Most emergency shelters make NO provisions for pets! You can’t bring a large dog, or multiple dogs just anywhere. You’d have to find another safe place for them. Many dogs were totally abandoned during Hurricane Katrina. Would your pets get abandoned if you was forced to evacuate your home?
Do you have a plan to evacuate your home, with your family and your dogs in an emergency? Do you know somebody (in another area) who could temporarily house your dogs during a disaster? Would you be willing to offer temporary housing to a friend’s dogs, or a family member’s dogs? What arrangements have you made? What would you do?
At the very least, I hope that a question like this would provoke some serious thought. Once distaster strikes, it’s too late.
Another question … Do you have an emergency kit (food, water, supplies, medications, etc) for your dog(s)? If you and your pets had to leave your home in an emergency, you’d need one. What’s in your kit?
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15 comments
mssophia102 on November 20, 2009 at 7:01 pm
We live in south Alabama and when Katrina came through we did have a plan and always have we live where water can flood us at any time but never have we seen waters like with Katrina. We have 10 dogs, 3 goats, 2 turtles, 1 cat and 2 birds, and a large horse trailer that we haul them all in when the hurricanes come. and if we can we will take some of the neighbors animals with us. however since Katrina many of the evacuation shelters here are making provisions for dogs, cats and other small animals. Another thing that you have to understand is that many of those people in Katrina did not want to abandon their animals and that is why some people stayed. When rescuers go in to get the people that is all they are allowed to get. I saw it with several of my neighbors. They stayed because they had no place to go with their animals or they believed it wasn’t going to be as bad as what everyone thought on our end of the storm and when the floods came they and the animals where sitting on the roof but when the boats came to get the people they were told they couldn’t take the animals and had no choice but to leave them behind. dang this one made me cry
mstng on November 20, 2009 at 7:01 pm
I have thought this a lot since Katrina. I have 3 dogs and 3 birds. No way in heck would I EVER leave them!!!!!!!! We live right on an earth quake fault with a dam that is ready to give. Im sure I will have to face this at some point. Im getting in the car and heading out of town the second I can. I would NEVER for ANY reason abandon my pets…they are after all my babies!! YOU?
Ive already planned what I will do. We have a boat about an hour away…I would take all animals there where I could be wtih them.
amie d on November 20, 2009 at 7:01 pm
in a case like that many people just flat out forget abotu their pets because of their family. but my dog would never be left behind because to me he is part of my family. i couldnt just leave him behind to die thats just wrong. i would take him with me until i found a place for him to stay that was safe.
Goldengal on November 20, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Yes we do and in Connecticut it is now illegal to leave your pet behind in case of a disaster. Due to the Hurricane Katrina Pet tragedy my state has made it mandatory to allow all pet into safe shelters.
mikey29_70 on November 20, 2009 at 7:01 pm
get yourself a doggy crate , that colapses, they come in handy when you lest expect it .. keep fresh bottled water, and a bowl with some canned food with the crate so your ready to go at any time .. mine came in handy when i rolled a semi-truck in california, i reached into the back grabbed the cage , and had a safe place for the dog while they cleaned up a huge mess.
sniffydogs on November 20, 2009 at 7:01 pm
They would come with me. Unlike the Katrina people I would leave on my own and not wait around for someone to save my sorry butt. I drive a Suburban.
bubblelator on November 20, 2009 at 7:01 pm
anyone with dogs would know the dog wants to be wherever you are. Never tether a dog to something. Keep the dogs calm and close. You can never make a dog stay somewhere where it feels abandoned.
poochiesmoochie on November 20, 2009 at 7:01 pm
After all the devastation of Hurricane Katrina many places will let you take your pets !!
you TOLD ME YOU HAD MY GAUTAIR. on November 20, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Well i think we would open up the door to our house and run across the street to a person who we know
Tiffany on November 20, 2009 at 7:01 pm
I would not abandon my pet. I would go someplace that will accept my pet
Ms. Della Alexis on November 20, 2009 at 7:01 pm
I Breed Poultry & A Few Other Types Of Animals.
Even Though I Have A Few Hundred Animals To Care For I’v Even Thought This Through & Have A Plan.
Only Need 30-45 Mins To Carry It Out.
So To All The Pet & Livestock Owners Out There, It’s Your Job To Make Sure That Your Animals Are Safe & Cared For No Matter What Is Going On Around Them.
Please Have A Plan Ready Just In Case.
maryk on November 20, 2009 at 7:01 pm
wow lots of questions. let’s see:
1. i would take my pets with me (i have 6).
2. my dogs, cats and fish would have to be pried from my cold, dead hands before i would abandon them.
3. yes. it’s just the pets, my hubby and myself and we havea camper that remains stocked. the dogs and fish are quite used to it. the cats would have to adapt.
4. i know people all over the country.
5. any friend’s or family member’s pets are welcome always.
6. we’ve made sure that someone will care for our pets, in the event of our demise. that person will even get the house, clear of debt, so that the pets don’t have to leave their home. we feel that they would have been traumatized enough by losing us.
houndmom101 on November 20, 2009 at 7:01 pm
In a case like that, my boys would definitely go with me!! I don’t even leave them when we go on vacation. If my boys are not welcome then I feel I’m not welcome!! They are with me all the time the only time we leave them is when we are working, or have to go to the store for something!!
bernel1403 on November 20, 2009 at 7:01 pm
If I knew in advance (many natural disasters are forwarned) I would most definately take my pets. I would go with family that lives in an area that would not be affected.
I don’t have a definate plan, but it is a good idea to arrange one, so thanks for your question.
If someone I know needed housing for a pet and I could care for it, I would.
I have an emergency kit, for people and pets.
mexican dude on November 20, 2009 at 7:01 pm
you know wat im staying rite there with them i dont care if i die atleast we will die together doesnt that count as anything?
and yes i have an emeregency kit and etc oh and we can always stay in the car together but I AM NOT LEAVING THEM BEHIND ESPICIALLY IF UVE HAD ONE FOR 4 YEARS AND ANOTHER ONE SINCE BIRTH