Last week I went to the public library to scope it out and get my library card. When I was leaving, I stopped at the community bulletin board hoping to find a book club or something to join. Instead, they had a stack of “Terrebonne Parish Emergency Preparedness” guides published by Homeland Security. I grabbed a copy.
This is something that’s been on my mind since we decided to move here. Hurricanes make me very nervous. So I was excited to have a practical guide – plus checklist – to put a plan in place.
And, okay, it is practical. It has a map of the evacuation routes, and it goes over some what-to-dos in case of injury, fire, and so on. I put together a shopping list so we can make our little hurricane kit, and I have a few tasks on my list (like, photocopying personal documents) to take care of.
But when I got to the checklist, I was disheartened to see this next to a check box: “When leaving pets behind, make sure there is an adequate supply of food and water.”
Sigh.
I know, for instance, that FEMA shelters do not allow pets. That’s a big problem. I also know that many people choose not to evacuate because they don’t want to leave their pets behind. That’s another big problem.
But I also know that there is not a single circumstance I can imagine that would make me leave my animals behind. And this is the part that makes me crazy: Hurricanes don’t just crop up out of nowhere (like, it seems, tornadoes do). There are usually days of warning. So part of our evacuation plan includes, you know, evacuating! When the notice first gets posted, we’re leaving just so that we can get out of dodge WITH all four animals.
Anyway, for anyone else who wants to prepare for leaving WITH their animals instead of following the FEMA guidelines of leaving them with food and water, I put together a little emergency preparedness for pets checklist that I’m using in my preparations.
Download my Emergency Preparedness for Pets checklist.
This is a flexible document, so I’d love to hear from you. How do you prepare for your pets in case of emergency? Anything on the list that I missed? Have you experienced an evacuation with your pets?
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The Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center is designated as the pickup point for residents who need transportation if an evacuation is ordered. To arrange transportation to the Civic Center, call the Office of Emergency Preparedness at 873-6357 to get added to the list. The parish can also pick up pets, Richard said.
Thanks for the info, Ralph! So glad that pets are accepted!
This is great, Maggie, and so important to be prepared. I need to put Bella’s list together – it’s not exactly ordinary. 😉 But hurricane season is upon us and every year I go through the list in my head – this year, it’s time to get it on paper and put in a bag as possible. The “Lost” flyers are a great tip and one I wouldn’t have thought of. Thanks for the tip.
I’m sure Bella does have a specific list! I think being prepared in advance helps me feel more in control of an out-of-control situation, you know? I’m totally a worst case scenario thinker!
That check-list is GRRREAT! The addition of that first-aid kit list is pawsome too! I thought MY first-aid list was extensive, but that one makes ours look like beginner chefs that forgot half a recipe. Definitely going to be getting your checklist together — putting one copy in the storm-room and another copy in the RV!
Thank you, Maggie!
So glad you found it useful! I was super excited to see their first aid kit resource, too. I wanted to put one together but had no idea where to start, so I printed that out as a shopping list!
Thank you for the checklist!
Since moving to Houston, I have given a lot of thought to our emergency plan in case a hurricane comes our way. I have heard horror stories about people trying to leave the city before Hurricane Ike hit Houston a few years ago and I am going to make sure that does not happen to us. I think the biggest issue was people waiting until the last minute to evacuate and then having to sit in traffic for a ridiculous amount of hours trying to get to Austin or Dallas. Although Ike was not as devastating as Katrina was, I have several friends that were left without power or water service for several days, which is a big problem specially in the middle of the summer with 100+ degree weather. Our emergency plan in case of a hurricane is very simple: leave town as soon as the notice first gets posted so we can take our three dogs with us. I would never leave anyone behind!
YES! That is my plan, Angela! As soon as notice is posted, we’re gone. I think that’s the only way to be proactive and safe with pets.
Awesome Thank you!
I’m moving to the north east coast and I was wondering what to do if there was a hurricane that hit. No way would I leave my 3 fur babies alone.
However, even though I’m not there yet, I looked up the evacuation routes. I have already found hotels and motels that accept dogs. As soon as I hear a hurricane coming, I’m heading out.
Call me crazy, but I do have a preparedness pack for me, my husband and the pups. I ordered so much stuff on line and have back packs ready to go. Just gotta think of these things before it is too late.
Thanks for spreading the word!
-Donna
That’s definitely NOT crazy, Donna! Being prepared is the best thing you can do to ensure your safety and the safety of your pets! Best of luck!
Really nice checklist, Maggie. I hope you never need to use it.
BTW, some Red Cross shelters do accept pets. It varies depending on the leadership of the local chapter. You might want to call your local Red Cross to see what their policies are on sheltering pets.
Thanks, Pamela!
Unfortunately, the policy here: Local and state health and safety regulations do not permit the Red Cross to allow pets in disaster shelters. (Service animals are allowed in Red Cross shelters.)
Our plan is to just get outta dodge!
I could not even imagine evacuating and leaving my pets behind. I just would not. I’d live in my car with them if I had to! We’re pretty safe in my area of the country, so I don’t worry about it too much. Maybe I still should. I think your list looks great, and thorough. I also thought there were shelters now that accepted animals….I didn’t realize it depended on where you were.
I’m glad you are so well prepared, Maggie, and as Pamela said, I hope you never have to use it!
*sigh* Jaded native Floridian here. I’m horrible…I have no plan other than put everyone in the car and head out (and living in Savannah, I’m still in a hurricane area).
Of course, being in the medical field I’ve never been allowed to leave, even when I wanted to. I have to show up for work. I have yet to have my job close due to a natural disaster. Just an occupational hazard.
Oooh, I never thought that through, but the medical profession deserves major kudos for staying in the line of fire, so to speak.
Good resource! We don’t get many hurricanes that make it as far inland as we are, but when we do, I like to be prepared with a plan. Even if you aren’t evacuating, this is a good list of things to have put together in case the electricity goes out for long periods of time.
When Hurricane Isaac was heading this way last year, I too made a list of things to take with you for your dogs as well as some tips for finding a place that will allow you take your pets when you evacuate.
Thank you for taking the time to share your resource! I’m heading over to check it out now!