forums.petswelcome.com

[crispy]

Does anyone know the actual FEMA policy for animals during an emergency? It seems that local officials were trying to convince people to leave their pets behind during rescues, which actually made a lot of people decide not to be rescued. If they had a policy that allowed, or even encouraged, people to take their pets, it would be a win-win situation--both humans and animals would more likely survive.

[texascindy48]

There is NO  policy set by FEMA - it is usually a local policy about pets being allowed in shelters.  Some shelters in Florida allow them & some don't so you just have to check with the local authorities.  There's probably more shelters in larger metropolitan areas than in the rural areas due to mentality (especially if you are talking about in the South).<br>

[aprgrad2004]

[quote author=texascindy48 link=board=admin;num=1130272055;start=0#1 date=03/03/06 at 20:31:14]There is NO  policy set by FEMA - it is usually a local policy about pets being allowed in shelters.  Some shelters in Florida allow them & some don't so you just have to check with the local authorities.  There's probably more shelters in larger metropolitan areas than in the rural areas due to mentality (especially if you are talking about in the South).<br>[/quote]<br><br>What do you mean "due to mentality (especially if you are talking about in the South)."??

[Odies_Mom]

What do you mean "due to mentality (especially if you are talking about in the South)."?? <br><br>I hate to say it (because I live in the South ) but Texas is right.  Last year when we had such a bad Hurricane Season, the horror stories were all over.  Now we all know that some of us (no doubt you and I included AprGrad) love our pets and would do anything for them.  But we also know that not everyone feels the same.  I have lived in the West and the South and the feeling that animals are desposible happens more here for whatever reason.  But that only means that us southern folk that do love them have work to do.  The letter to your Senator is a great idea.

[BarometerBob]

The policy from the Gov is to include your pets with your emergency plans and evacuations. I was at the National Hurricane Conference, and they stress to include your pets in your plans. For hurricanes, if you plan on evacuating, this site is great for places to evac to, such as hotel/motel. <br>But, if you plan on going to a evac shelter, you MUST contact your local Emergency Management Office to find out which shelter is pet friendly. If they have a pet friendly shelter.<br>I evac'd from N Florida during Hurricane Floyd with 2 wolf hybreds, 2 cats, a bird, and gold fish. I made sure that all of my pets were included in our plans. Problem was, this was before pet friendly shelters, and all the hotel/motels were already taken. We went to the shelter in talahassee, and I stayed outside with the pets while the wife and kids went inside. They had horses even at the rest areas along I-10, it was insane.<br>You need to also have a plan!!<br>Find out if a family member, friend, coworker, ect would let you stay with your pet during an emergency or storm. If not, then try and make an evacuation plan, a route, place to stay, ect.<br>LAST RESORT is your local evacuation shelter!!! These are not comfortable, they can be very unfriendly, especially if you have a pet.<br>These are our 4 legged kids, include them in your plans.

[8bunnies]

The first responders to an emergency are local.  That would be municipality, county, parish, reservation, depending on the levels of emergency management set up in your area.  Then comes the state EMA.  FEMA personnel are brought in to a disaster only if asked by the state and if the disaster is raised to a federal level -- not all disasters are federal disasters.   <br><br>Red Cross shelters allow only service animals.  It can be a tough call for them, but it currently is the law -- start thinking of children with allergies and go from there.  There are a few organized communities with pet-friendly emergency shelters in the United States.  They are not related to the Red Cross but are set up independently by people concerned about the human-pet bond and the undeniable possibility of a large-scale emergency happening in their community.   <br><br>That being said-- FEMA asks that you take your pet with you always.  If an emergency worker tells you to come back later for your pet, they are not taking the situation seriously enough -- there may not be a later.  FEMA, state emergency management agencies, the ASPCA, the Humane Society and countless animal rescue shelters ask that you be prepared by knowing where you will go when you must leave your home with your pet(s) when disaster strikes.  If you don't have family or friends that can take you in, know what hotels and motels take pets or what hotels and motels will vary their policy in the time of a disaster.  Be prepared.  <br><br>The information that this web site has gathered is far more vital than people realize.  I and my pets thank everyone for their efforts in putting it together.