Hurricane Pets vs. Service dogs
 

I just wanted to post this because sometimes I think we make decisions without full knowledge of what life may deal us in the future.

I heard so many stories about people who left their precious pets behind to perish when they had to escape this natural disaster. I feel that some of them could have been saved and I think we can start here with our membership.

I posted a poll recently asking the members if they had a qualifying disability, would they make their dog a service animal. While the majority said they would, I was frankly surprised by those who said they would not.

Even if you don't use the fact that your dog is a service animal on a daily basis it may just save it's life someday. If you are ever in a situation like this hurricane where hotels or whatever are refusing "pets" you would be able to get your service animal in and take it to safety.

Please consider this if you ever are in a position to make your dog a service animal because it may end up being your precious furbaby who is saved by your actions. Just food for thought.

i never thought of that! thanks for posting kim!

That is a really good point. I was already thinking about making Deegan a service dog, but thatjust makes me wanto more. How do you go about doing it?

defenatly PM her. i would have gotten no where with tucker if it wasn't for her. (thanks so much kim, you rock!)

I just sent her a PM as I"m very intrested.

I would never leave my baby..i just couldnt do it

i agree, i feel so badly for the people that had to. i'm sure it was so hard for them. i feel for the babies too. :(

I had never heard of this but its a very good suggestion. Overall I think anyone who has the chance to certify their baby as a service dog should do this eyes wide shut because why not help those who can benefit from the unconditional love of a dog.

For those who expressed an interest this will get you started in training your dog to be a service animal.It is really easy depending on your disability but most basic behaiors like bringing things to you or barking at certain noises or just licking your face to calm you are considered training.

A good place to start is to read the law and understand it. Basically as soon as a dog begins its training it qualifies as a service dog and is allowed access everywhere. Even puppies like Ava! There are rules that business establishments must be aware of and follow and here is a link to a FAQ that I printed out and carry with me because there are a lot of businesses that don't know the laws. www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/qasrvc.htm

If you google service animals too you can read a lot of info. PM me if you need more info after you get started. You don't have to reigister or certify them but there is a registry called SARA or service animal registry of america that gives you a ID tag for $35 which helps sometimes and they are not required to wear vests of other distinquihing uniforms but you can buy them or the patches at www.raspberryfield.com.

Thanks again Kim, for this pointer on how service animal designation for our babies can benefit not just us, but them as well. I would have remained on the roof with my Tuck (or Rex, or Cleo or whomever) and let the "rescuers" know my death was on their heads if it came to that... I could not leave my baby - skin or fur. No real difference to me except the furbaby is a little more helpless and in need of rescue...
Sorry, very strong feelings on this - they wouldn't ask me to leave my child - they'd have been better off rescuing pets than a lot of those jerks that are out there looting and shooting right now!!!!
Dana

Speaking from experience of evacuating for hurricanes . . . .

Hotels relaxed their no pet policy during evacuations. The Choice Inn in Ruston, Louisiana has a strict no pet policy. Almost every single room had dogs -- not one - not only two, some of them had 3 and 4!

People that have the means to evacuate usually find a way to take their pets with them.

Lisa

My husband was telling me that he heard on the news that they where taking pets out of childrens arms. I was just heartbroken! I would stay and die for my yorkies and one brittainy. That is how much i love them.These poor people have gone through so much and have to leave behind the pets that are so loyal and loving to them. How horrible!I know people should come first but like i said i wouldn't or couldn't leave my babies.I am counting my blessings and crying for our brothers and sisters out there needing help. So Horrible!God help them.:(

Lisa~ That is so wonderful to hear that some hotels were so accommodating given the emergency situation, but not all were unfortunately and many beloved pets were lost as a result.

I don't want this to turn into a controversial thread, but, there were still lots of stories I heard of people leaving pets behind...for example, they were not allowed in the sports complex where all those people went toward the end.

I think it is still a good thing for the safety of the animal. It just makes life easier and I cannot see a negative.

Like I said, check to see "who" were the people that went to the Superdome. They are the indigent, lower class people of the city. I don't begrudge them the joy of animal ownership but when they can't even take care of themselves, they don't have any business owning an animal.

Lisa

Everyone should get the chance to have a pet...
 

My intention is not to cause trouble, but rather, give you a look from the "other side". (Some of you may not be able to comprehend that.)

Growing up, from birth until I was ten years old was hell. Let's see...my father tried to kill himself, cutting his wrists while standing over me at age 6. Tried to run over and kill ME when I was 7. Tried to kill my mother at least 3 times a month (didn't matter whether they were married or not); went to 10 different schools and lived in 12 different homes; lived in a hotel room, slept in a chair at age 5; sent to live with grandparents or other family members who could afford me; had five different stepfathers; and guess who my only friend in the world was.....

YEP, my dog.

Thank God for sending me a wonderful adoptive father who saved my life, and guess what - he bought me a new dog.

Glad I had a pet!

Your response was much better than any I could have given! Dogs are (ALL) man's best friend!!

I think the people in the Superdome are some of the less fortunate in our society, war veterans, the disabled, the poor, the elderly and I think they need their dogs too. All of them could probably legally be classified as servixe dogs imo.

A little spontaneous journaling, I suppose!
 

Re-read my post. Almost sounds made-up it's so awful. Anyway, really touched a nerve with me. If I sounded mad, I was hurt. If I sounded mad, I was frustrated. If I sounded mad, maybe for just a slight breath, I was.

I'm over it now!

The story on yahoo news today made me cry...In Louisiana the buses were taking the people from the superdome to texas, a little boy had his dog in his arms and the POLICE told the boy he could not take the dog with him. The little boy sobbed "Snowball, snowball" until he got physically sick. A reporter asked the police officer what would happen to the dog and he said he had no idea. I mean I understand the officials are worried about the health of the people but don't they understand what this little boy has been put through??? Its amazing his dog was even still alive and then to have it left to die and this poor little child now has even less.... makes me so angry I just want to go find that dog and take him to his owner! :cry:

Ouch, that hurts!
 

Porscha - I can't imagine going through what he's endured. So much hurt for such little shoulders.

We will continue praying for all of them -

My heart goes out to the animals..poor things. Here is the website to make a donation: http://www.hsus.org/ :thumbup:

It sure did make me think. I never considered having to leave my pets behind. Especially with children, they would continue to ask for years what had happened to the pets, another constant reminder of the tragic event.

Of all the heartbreaking stories coming from the hurricane, many did not bring this upon themselves. I am very saddened the way the story is playing out as if we had known all along this would happen and that we're not even trying to save these people.

Kim - I appreciate your thinking of this, the world would be a better place if more people trained their dogs.

Did I really read that right???

Please say I didn't!

Any who is anyone to judge who went into the superdome! Get real!

I AGREE!!!!

You had every right to be nerved with this post I think it is very rude for such things to be said about people they have never met.

Have you all been to the dome to know that they aren't letting service dogs in or that they are really ripping pets out of kids hands?

Carters Mom who quotes in her signature-
"Don't waste your time on that which is not worthy of it."

I am just wondering what or who is worthy and who decides what is worthy?

So, are you saying that we could say our dog is a service dog if she likes everybody and makes them feel better? What do you tell people that ask you what kind of service dog she is? ?????? :rolleyes:

It has been on the news that pets are not allowed in the dome and many other shelters.

A service dog has to have certain training. You must certify them, you can't just say so; I'm sure during a time like this - you would need proof.

It is a very sad situation and I sincerely hope that they will get help to all of those people very soon. It is so sad, especially the children; there are babies who have not had food or milk for 3 days! Can you imagine, it is just horrible that such a thing could be happening.

Try to think positive and do not let this horrible news coverage make you bitter about these poor starving people with no place to sleep, no showers, no home, no job, no nuthin'.

Lisa... All I can say is WOW.. When I was younger due to an abusive father I ran away at 15 was lost to the world and did what most young girls have to do to survive so young. I was so poor I would eat nothing for days but ALWAYS made sure my 2 dogs not one but 2!! had food and water. If it were not for my dogs I would probably be dead right now. They gave me the will to keep fighting and to not give in to the thoughts of the world would be a much better place without me. So your opinion on this matter is both ill thought and unwarranted. I have seen people with wonderful homes and more money in their bank accounts then I have seen in my lifetime treat dogs like crap. Use them to make more money, not feed them simply because they did not have the time or inclination, or just leave them to live their lives in cages for a few years and then cut off ears and leave them in the streets. I feel that you should rethink what you placed on this board and apologize to those of us who you have truly hurt with that statement. I have read a lot of heartache on this site and read so many sad stories but nothing has hurt me nearly as much as that simple statement.

Kim,

Thank you so much for bringing this to our attention I am a diabetic and on insulin and I think now that I will see about training my dogs as service dogs in case I have an episode of low or too high sugar. Can I do this? I also want to train them to be search and rescue dogs this is going to take a LOT of work on all of us but I think it can be done.

Everyone,

Thank you for being such a great community of people. We all have opinions and I know sometimes we say things that hurt or anger others and I am sure that is noones intentions. You all are brilliant with advice and compassion on most occasions. Thanks for being here and thank you Admin for setting this site up so we could be.

Susan

Kissa, Max, and Hugh's Mom

I was up most of the night thinking about this post- I know it is none of my business but it still really bothers me that someone can think like that in todays day and age. I will shut up now on this subject but I have to say this -if we don't help "those not worthy" who will? I guess that is why I am me set on this earth to help those not worthy or healthy enough to help themselves!

I don't think Lisa or anyone intends to be mean. The information is so overwhelming and unbelievable. I am watching this morning the hospital evacuee's - how awful this is. The elderly, the infants - and I wonder how they can even begin to rescue animals with all the people suffering. At the same time, the poor animals, wild and pets are confused, now hot and starving with no water. It is like a disaster movie and it makes you feel rather helpless. Even the press seems to want to blame someone - anyone, and I have even seen them print on their rolls that these people had their chance to evacuate but did not, or should have gone to shelters as instructed. Why do we have to find blame. I think more energy needs to continue to be how to help, but those of us watching feel very helpless. I would like everyone to try to look for the positive. They are doing everything they can - no one is taking the situation lightly. Sometimes we say stupid things out of frustration, but it is not what is in our hearts.

My name is Denise and my family is indegent, says so on our Health Clinic cards. I understand that Lisa meant no harm in what she said...she just said it ALL WRONG. Our Gizmo was a gift and being a mother of 2 dissabled children, make sure our baby has food and whatever he needs. While it's true we don't have the clothes and all for him (he prefers goin nakey) and use the flea drops from walmart and toys from the Dollar Store. This little man has brought more love and happines to our home than I would have ever dreamed possible. Yes, they would have to pry him from my cold, dead hands..around here he's not considered an animal. Sometimes these "animals" are all that keep the "lower class" going, the whole unconditional love thing :thumbup: . Guess I shouldn't even hit the reply button because like you I do not mean to be ugly but, oops......