What do the animals do in a hurricane?
 

As I live right in the middle of the US, I have never experienced a hurricane and really can't even imagine what it is like. When people evacuate and know they can't get back home for a long time, how do they live? What I mean is wouldn't you run out of money? What about animals? Will hotels take them? And breeders? How in the world do you move an entire kennel and live away from home for days or weeks on end? Anyone ever had to deal with this?

HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, anyone?

Well, I don't know that I really have an answer to all your questions. I live in miami, florida and we have had to face many storms in the passed few years. Luckily, until Katrina, we never experienced a direct hit in my area, and in this case, Katrina was still a category 1 storm, so it was not that bad. Usually people who live near the ocean are the ones that have to evacuate. I live about 25-30 minutes from the beach so we always stay in our home. Before the storm, we stock up on hurricane supplies: candles, water, flashilights, batteries, FOOD (chips, dip, etc). We put hurricane shutters on our windows. Then we just stick it out.

Those who have to evacuate their homes usually aren't gone that long unless the damage is so bad they can't return home... Luckily, I have never had to experience this, but maybe someone will post their experience for you.

This was Esme's first storm, and she didn't mind it at all. She said 'no thunder, no problem!'

I'm sorry I asked so many questions. But as I was watching the news about this storm, they were talking about any animals left out wouldn't make it. They also thought people wouldn't be able to return home for a very long time. I hope everyone is getting out and will be safe. How scarey!!!

It really is scary, But you don't know the half of it until you can experience it first hand, and I say that without even being in an actual hurricane, I only experienced 70 MPH winds, and that was scarey enough.

I live in New Port Richey, Florida and we have had a bunch of scares last year. Unfornately, when people go to shelters, they are not allowed to bring their animals. I work at a school (and its always open as a shelter.) People try to bring in their dogs and cats, but they really are not allowed. Some leave them in their cars (which I think is crazy) but I guess they are hoping for the best. Anyway I understand why they are not allowed, but I so feel for these poor people. If I had to actually move my family to a shelter, I would bring my dogs, (as I said before I work there & I would just let them stay in my office) I guess people with animals should raise some money to have a pet animal shelter built, for just this reason. But no one has yet! :(

It is rather scary for our Southeast Yorkie owners. I believe Carter's Mom has had to evacuate maybe twice now in the past year? I would think they just evacuate for a few days, until after the hurricane passes. For those with financial hardship, I would hope that churches, or nearby communities open up some kind of shelters or school gymnasiums for them. I just read that New Orleans ordered a full mandatory evacuation! Wow!

It would be quite the challenge for breeders to relocate, but I would hope they all have some place to go as well, as it'd be heartbreaking to hear dogs left behind during such a scary and dangerous time.

On the news, they listed certain shelters in our area that welcome animals. In order to stay there, you have to preregister with the humane society. I guess they make you preregister because there isn't much room.

I just got my electricity turned back on yesterday from Hurricane Katrina.
Our power went out around 4:00 pm Thursday and didn't come back on until 3:00 pm yesterday. Our phone lines were down and my cell phone was out of service.
It was hot and sticky. You don't realize how blessed we are to have electricity.

They had a pet shelter open where you could bring pets. You can leave your pets at your vet's office. You shouldn't leave them home alone because it can be a week before they allow residents back in after the storm.
Everyone should have an evacution plan which includes what to do with your pets. Plan before an emergency even exists. Then if something should happen, you don't have to panic or worry, just follow your plans.

My friends had 7 horses, 2 birds, 3 cats, and 2 dogs here in South Florida. We had so many storms last year and I always felt for them. Someone had to stay for the horses sake. It was so frightening that they ended up moving to the northwest section of South Carolina. We miss them but I understood their concern.

I keep praying for that storm to weaken. I really am scared for anyone who is in the path of a cat 5 storm. Terrifying!

What a great question this was. When I was younger we sat out a hurricane. I would have to think people MUST find their pets and take them or they would run so far to hide they could be gone forever - I think pets are some of the biggest casualitites of mother nature. They know when things are coming and it's up to us to help them....wich I could answer the actual question for acts of nature like this - it must be so hard for some people to have to leave them behind - and I know it happens.

I think you are correct Villette. It is sad that some people must leave them behind. I know that larger animals must be left sometimes though to protect the rest of the family. I hope they can rely of thier insticts and save themself though. Godspeed to those in the path of Katrina!!!!!

I just heard on the news that 100,000 people are too poor or sick to be evacuated and will stay in New Orleans. I hope they will be okay.

NOW THAT'S TERRIBLE - no one should ever be too poor or too sick to receive help in getting away from a potential DEADLY Storm - where are our priorities ? Where does all our money go...why didn't they know this before they had a catastrophy ? It really makes you wonder ...wow - I hadn't heard this till you posted it fasteddie

I really don't think that the Superdome was constructed to withstand the winds that they will receive for such a long period of time. I really hope it doesn't turn into a huge morgue.

There are pet-friendly shelters but you have to look long and hard for them. Many hotels relax their no pet rules in evacuation situations - such as the Choice Inn that we're staying in. Several people I saw after I arrived were relieved when they say Carter and Cooper. They went to their vehicles and trucks to get their dogs/cats out of their pet taxis and brought them inside to join their families.

Down the street from where we are are several hotels. You can see many breeds of dogs being walked - schnauzers, white highlands, ****zus, mixes -- so far we're on the only Yorkies I've seen.

I know that Michelle and Brian's (my two older children) stepmother cried when she had to decide to leave her aged greyhound at home while they attempt to evacuate.

I'm glad I didn't have to do that! Yorkies are portable -- they are great travelling companions. Just wish they weren't alerted so easily to all the sounds in the hall. :(

Lisa

red98vett: There is indeed government help, but as Carter's Mom said (as she would know better), we really don't know how much help the Superdome or other places will be during such a huge hurricane. I don't know if there would possibly be any way for local or national government to help evacuate so many people in a day. The people that are staying in the city to help the shelters and help people that are unable to evacuate should be commended and applauded.

Yes it must be terrible for the people in New Orleans. For the people who have no
where to go and can't buy gas because they have run out, I heard they are
opening up the Super Dome ( maybe they will allow animals but I some how doubt
it) They say that they will not be responsible and people have to know the electric
will be out and there will be no ventilation. I'm retired and it's just Crystal and me,
so if I were there I'd try to get out but if I couldn't I would not leave her. If I
were a young mother with children, of course I would have to. Oh, I hate to
think of anyone having to do that. Let's say a prayer for these people in the
storms way tonight.

People really do have big hearts!

I have had the invitation of friends I have made through my professional photography forum to stay with them. Any direction that we would have needed to evacuate, we had offers in the event that lodging wasn't available. I'll probably visit one member of that forum that is in Bossier City. He and his wife sent me the names of 3 boutiques to go shopping for a homecoming dress for Courtney while we're out this direction.

New Orleans officials urged people to open their hearts to their neighbors and fellow church members to offer those people without transportation and means to possibly evacuate with them.

The National Guard is at the Superdome (those that aren't deployed to Iraq) and are helping with security in the dome. The lines waiting to get into the dome are unbelievable but I think they are handling things well. The delay in enterring the dome is security screenings to be sure there is no alcohol being smuggled in as well as weapons. What could be worse than drunk cajuns with guns in an environment that may become hostile after a few days!

I pray for everyone that is in harm's way. I'm just grateful that I was able to leave with my pups and my child to keep them safe. Homes can be replaced, people can't.

BTW - my mom, mother-in-law, one sister, brother-in-law and niece are with us as well.

Lisa

storms
 

I would be too worried if I had a large kennel here in Florida as I did in MD.
If I stay at 4, I will be able to pack them up and drive north if need be to my daughters.
Once in MD we had a truck overturn on the highway near our house..it was a toxic spill of some sort..the police wanted everyone in the neighborhood to leave. I couldn't, so I sat in the kennel with the Yorkies..my husband had a fit,( he was at work) but I couldn't get 20 Yorkies out in a matter of minutes and I sure couldn't leave them..I said ..the heck with it, if we are going to die, we are all going together. They got the spill cleaned up and let people go back to their homes. Although sometimes I wonder if I didn't get some brain damage from it! lol

I am heart sick about all the animals/live stock that will drown in LA.

Awww, Pat that is so great of you to sit with your babies. I am soooo very glad that all is well now though. I am also sick about all the animals that will lose their lives. Makes me sick.

I live on the east coast of Virginia. The reason that many people don't prepare until the last minute, (I think), is because of the numerous times forecasters mis-cast where the hurricane is going. The storms haven't traveled out of the tropics before our local weathermen are discussing the possiblity of it hitting our area. So people "wait and see". Personally, I do fill up my tank. Had I been in Katina's path, I'd have done it last Friday. The problem isn't the lack of gasoline, it's no power, means no gas. Another thing people should do is get cash out of the bank for emergencies, etc. No power, no atm or banks opening. Unfortunately, people are so used to electricity, they don't expect it to be off for days and days. Usually your power goes out and shortly there after, a power crew has it back on. After Isabel came through here, we didn't have power at home for 2 weeks, much longer than I anticipated even with a generator. Even with the generator we were able to only power 4 items at a time (the fridge, a lamp, tv).

I'm rambling here, but suffice to say, if a hurricane hasn't hit your area in a long, long time, people get complaciate. If you've been hit, you aren't so complaciate any more.

Thought of something else....LOL. In our area there are so many people and limited ways out of town, in order to evacuate we'd have to leave our home long before the hurricane came close to landfall. We've been told dozens of times how long it would take to evacuate this area. There aren't many people willing to leave their homes 2 days BEFORE the hurricane comes, especailly given the fact that these storms have minds of their own.....on one course for awhile and then veer off to another.

Tonight 9-4-05 on Dateline they explained what they did with alot of the animals.
They had people operating a kennel and were there until late in the week - they
were given orders to leave and could not take the animals but helped put the
cages up as high as they could and planned to talk to someone about getting
back for them. Anyway the water came in and did drown the animals in the
lower cages but all on all the above levels had water in their cages but not to the
top and believe this or not they TREAD WATER FOR SIX HOURS even the cats.
The interviewer said even the cats and the woman said "yes" . She said she
never would have thought it possible - the will to live is certainly great in all
god's creatures. So most that were brought to that kennel in New Orleans lived.
Just had to let those of you know that did not see this.

That would be me! i'd be sticking it out with my babies!

sadly most animals don't make it. i've never expieranced anything like katrina and i hope i never do. people are forced to leave their pets behind. some are having them put down. to ensure their safety, no matter how hard it may be. i think when they evacuate its until the storm passes or longer if the damages are extenisve. some of the cruise lines just opened up and they're taking in anyone who may need shelter. thats all i really know about the subject.

Megan, you certainly know alot for your age and I am always amazed!! I know I
would never leave my "Crystal " but I have lived my life and it's different. Mothers
and Fathers who have children to save do have to make this decision as heart-
breaking as it may be. The sweetest thing on this entire site is when Ketz comes
on so many different times and just says. "I would never leave my baby" We do
love our yorkies as it should be.

I couldn't leave Dinero behind...I hope I never have a tragdey like that happen here....

thank you joan! i agree, it would be so hard to leave my babies. i would do everything i could to bring them with me!! i have the families suffering in my prayers, and their furbabies.

This morning o nthe early show they were talking about teh animals affected by Katrina and they said that people were putting there animals in there down there shirts just to take them. One family put there cocker spaniel in a bag on their way to houston and took it to a local animal shelter until they found a place to stay and now they have her back.

thats whats so nice about having a small portable dog but a cocker putting up with
that WOW. I could see me trying a suit case with some holes in it or something or if her sherpa bag hadn't been washed away, she'd be right at home
Did you see the man leaving in a row boat with the people that picked him up
holding his sister in laws wedding dress in the air. He had no idea!! Wonder what
it looked like by the time it got to her. Mud and all, it was the sweetest gesture
any brother in law could do. (she was to get married soon)