Floods Prompt Call For Pet Evacuation Laws

[mita]

I did a bit of googling around to see what evacuation plans had been developed following the new laws that stemmed from Hurricane Katrina in the US. Each county has to have evacuation plans in order (& for pets, too), if they want to get federal funding after a disaster.

I found the San Francisco area one. And it's realistic. Of course, it's hoped a first option can be for residents to get out under their own steam, early, & take their pets. Or if there's transport that can accommodate pets, too. Gives a list of things which people should have, at the ready, to take along with their pets. Makes the good point that people should continually crate/carrier train their dogs & cats, so it's not terrifying for them when there's an evacuation.

It also helps plan for when disasters are in various spots (like in the Brisbane floods, when one part of a suburb was flooded, but the other untouched). They tell people to make good connections re their pets with neighbours & within their communities. So assistance can be called on. Like an already existing list of volunteer foster-carers could be used to make matches straight away.

It also refers to the worst case scenario when pets have to be left behind. They give a list of things to do before you go....that might give the animals some chance of survival. And they tell people to leave a list somewhere prominent, of what pets are in your house. That's because the 2nd wave of rescue can often include animal rescuers, or people who'll feed animals until owners can return. They tell people what to take with them in a case like that (all the ID info + a photograph of family with the pets). Microchipping isn't mandatory there, but they strongly recommend it.

Edited January 24, 2011 by mita