Animals & emergencies
 

I got a thing from the Humane Society that was about this (in light of Hurricane Isaac). It's something people don't think about but we should. So here's a link to help you have your fur baby ready for anything. Hey, y'never know...

http://www.ready.gov/caring-animals

I have often wondered what happens to shelters and zoo animals during these type of emergencies. I know our family would be devastated if any of our three dogs had to be left unattended for any length of time.

This is one reason I only have one, small pet.

Many people don't realize that most emergency shelters for people don't allow animals-except for those assistance animals for the handicapped. If you are a pet owner you have to figure out what to do with them. I really feel for those people in the forest fire areas that had horses and other loved large animals.

I was raised on Lake Erie-it was our front yard-We were flooded out of our home in Nov '67thru the end of Jan '68.We had 6 dogs and 6 puppies plus 5 cats and 4 litters of kittens.Our home set on a hill the basement was flooded but the upstairs stayed dry. My Dad rowed out there every night after work to feed/water and spend time with all of them.Upon our return our fur family had grown.Dad had taken in twice as many scared and forgotten pets.A few were returned but the majority remained with us.So now I have stickers affixed to the windows and doors saying I have 3 small dogs and 2 cats.In case something happens while I'm not home. These stickers can be gotten from the chain Pet stores and your local fire station. I'm glad my critters all sleep in my room should the need arise they are where I can put them out the window and into the car.

Because during Katrina so many people wouldn't evacuate without their pets and there were so very many left-behind pets following Katrina, people evacuating during Isaac were allowed to take their pets. They didn't even have to be in a kennel, just on a leash. A pet shelter now is being made available during hurricane evacuations in central and northern Louisiana.

Don't know what arrangements are made for zoo animals, but there is a Wild Life Reserve off I-12 in Louisiana. Took my grandchildren there the summer after Katrina. When the workers returned they saw no animals at all. They were devastated. A few hours later, the animals started coming out of the distant forest area. This area just happens to be the highest elevation on the reserve. The animals knew instinctively where to go. EVERY ANIMAL survived, including the one that was born while they were in the trees. God's hand was most certainly on those animals. Although I no longer have my Dachshund, I would never have left her behind.

I have always said if I have to evacuate for a hurricane, my plan is to pack up my two cats, my little dog, my important papers and whatever else I might need and hit the road. I would drive as far as I needed to to get out of the path of the storm. If I'm evacuating my animals go with me. We'll sleep in the car if we have to.

A wonderful post, can I ask ALL you quilters to remember our Fur-Babies and their love of everything quilty. Here is a pic of my Muffin's favourite bed, she has her's so all of my other tiny bits of fabrics, teeny bits of threads, batting etc. it stuffed into a old Pillow case, sewn up and donated to local Animal Hospices, it's recyclling at it's very best. IMO

Umm sorry it looks so messy but she hates me washing it or removing it for any purpose :)

My Leo would be the first thing I would grab... whether it's to run to the basement for a tornado or to evacuate. If he couldn't go, we wouldn't either. We have stuff for him packed in our "go bag" & in our long-term supplies.