Posted on 07/27/2007 5:37:25 AM PDT by blam
State plans for pet shelter during hurricanes
Thursday, July 26, 2007
By DAN MURTAUGH Staff Reporter
Two years after Hurricane Katrina claimed the lives of some Gulf Coast residents because they refused to evacuate without their pets, Alabama officials say they can now provide shelter for every animal evacuated during a storm.
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries plans to open three pet-friendly shelters in Dothan, Montgomery and Birmingham the next time a major hurricane threatens coastal Alabama.
The Mobile County Emergency Management Agency will also open a smaller pet shelter in west Mobile County, according to an agency official.
Emergency officials believe that some of the 1,100 deaths attributed to Hurricane Katrina were people who refused to evacuate because they couldn't take their pets with them to shelters.
"In many cases, especially with the elderly and those who are disabled, pets are part of the family," said Walt Dickerson, head of the Mobile County EMA.
Just like they say that public storm shelters should only be used by people who do not have the means or the ability to get themselves out of harm's way, emergency officials said pet owners should try to make their own arrangements for their animals before relying on government help.
For example, pet owners could contact out-of-town friends about the possibility of staying with them and bringing their pets. Some veterinarians allow owners to board pets at their clinics during storms. Web sites such as www.petswelcome.com list hotels that allow animals.
(Excerpt) Read more at al.com ...
A good wholesome story for kids and adults.
Our kitties have their own evacuation packs and I’m working on a list of pet-friendly hotel chains. If we have to go, we all go as a family and I’m not depending on the government for anything.
I hear Michael Vick will be put in charge.
Ditto. My four doggies go inland with me each time.
Hopefully, Mr Vick will be in his own kennel and won't be available.
A local family has donated 25 acres (very expensive property) a little further in-land and the zoo is getting expanded facilities on the higher ground.
Why put a pet shelter in Mobile. Placing this up I-65 towards Montgomery/Birmingham makes more sense.
Even more sense would be to use University facilities at the University of Alabama (any campus), or other state colleges/universities. Students might be able to be found and help in an emergency.
Just another example, in my opinion, of wasted tax dollars.
Now if the shelter was not on the Gulf Coast (Mobile County), I might not be so critical...
I would not be critical if there were a plan for special school buses for evacuation that would allow people to take their pets (sort of like a no smoking/smoking choice for bus accommodation on evacuation).
I like Alabama's plans. An animal shelter 15-20 miles off the coast is easy, safe and the most practical. Most people want to go only the minimum distance from home. Returning is a nightmare.
The evacuation routes will have prepositioned gasoline tanker trucks, electrical generating facilities and other supplies available all along the routes north.
If its good enough for you, then it is definitely good enough for me. Alabama is a much more conservative state, so I guess they may not have the wild projects such as New York City.
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