Reminder to pet owners in Katrina's path

[Lorien]

I work for a pet rescue group in Central Florida. Last year, we were hit by three hurricanes. Most (human) shelters do not accept pets, so many pet owners simply left their animals at home. When the storms blew out windows or when trees knocked out walls, the pets ran and often never returned. Animal shelters were inundated with found dogs and cats. IF THE ANIMALS WERE NOT MICROCHIPPED OR WEARING IDENTIFICATION, THEY WERE DESTROYED WITHIN ONE HOUR OF THEIR ARRIVAL AT THE SHELTER. The shelters had simply run out of room, and that was their policy.

Please, please put a collar on your pets with ID NOW-even if you are evacuating with them.

Also, La Quinta Inns and many Motel 6s accept pets.

[Bluebear]

1. THANK YOU Lorien

I would be in my truck with my dogs so fast. Nothing would make me leave them, nothing.

[redwitch]

11. my cats are my 4 legged kids, no way I'd go w/o them

hubby and 2 legged kids agree. Thanks for this post. KICK

[H5N1]

2. Great ideas

[Faygo Kid]

3. Great job.

Thanks for bringing this up; the media has failed to mention it. Outstanding. :loveya:

[troubleinwinter]

4. Let us please keep it kicked.

[Dudley_DUright]

5. Yes, we stayed at a La Quinta Inn when we evacuated last year

They were great about having pets. We lived there for more than a week with our sheltie without any complaints

[Lorien]

7. I stayed at one in Georgia

with my three cats. The staff was wonderful about having the pets there. Two maids even helped me catch my little cat Puck when she zipped out of the room one morning. The rooms are very comfortable and well appointed, too.

[lildreamer316]

6. Breaking my heart......kicked.

[Booster]

8. Good post and thought. Some of the really sad stories coming

from this type of natural disaster are the ones about the pets. Lorien, you and your people will be blessed many times over for the work you do, and I would imagine it's both heartbreaking and rewarding. Keep up the good work and thanks for doing the job.

[Lorien]

10. Thanks spenbax!

:hi:

It is tough sometimes, but every successful adoption helps to ease the pain of every loss.

[mike_c]

9. kicking and recommending....

Keep this front and center!

[AgadorSparticus]

12. Best Westerns also accept pets.

I hope everyone will be able to find safety. :kick:

[Lorien]

17. Thanks for the information!

I'll add them to our list. :hi:

[HysteryDiagnosis]

13. Excellent point and very important info!!! Thanks for the heads up

but my Bitsy is going with me... no way she would stand the storm alone.. thunder makes her CRAZY!!!

Why just look here..... it's hard work being a dog....

[Lorien]

15. Adorable!

I'm glad that she is going with you. Stay safe; you and Bitsy will be in my thoughts. :hug:

[BrklynLiberal]

14. A VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE!!!

kicking and recommending!!!

[Carni]

16. Also kicking and recommending

Under these circumstances all the hotels should accept pets!

[Lorien]

20. Amen Carni

I often hear that many of those who chose to "ride out" such storms do so because they don't want to leave their pets behind. If all hotels changed their policies during emergencies, LIVES COULD BE SAVED! Honestly; there is NOTHING a person can do to "protect" their pets or property in the midst of a major hurricane. Either evacuate with them, or leave them behind wearing the best ID you can provide-but please don't try to "ride it out"!

[Carni]

21. The whole thing sucks

I don't think I could leave my pets anymore than I could my kid!

I guess if push came to shove I would have to but there should be a better alternative!

[TankLV]

86. I would never leave my pets without me! Never.

It's everybody or nobody.

I can't imagine leaving them alone.

[Modem Butterfly]

18. Kicked and nominated

[Samurai_Writer]

19. My boss lost a cat during hurricane Frances last year

They didn't take their cats with them when they evacuated. They found one, but the other was never found. When I evacuated for Frances, I had Magic, Nightmare and Smoke. I drove with them to Texas in a VW Jetta with no A/C. It was miserable, but they did OK and there was no way I would ever leave them in such a situation.

[Carni]

22. Oh man--Three angry felines in a Jetta without AC lol

Sorry to lol...but that had to be quite the experience!

I hope it wasn't a 5 speed!

[Samurai_Writer]

28. Two cats and a dog

And yes, it was a 5 speed. My left ankle was locking up from all the shifting I had to do.

[Carni]

31. Oh no!

I had to take my three fat boys to the vet once (all cats) in a 5 spd. It was not a fun experience and I wasn't even under the pressure of impending doom (just cat flu)

Your's had to be the trip from hell esp with a dog thrown in to the mix!

[Samurai_Writer]

34. Actually the dog was the best of the three

He LOVED to travel, and was a real champ about it. The two cats, who are/were older, were pains, as they refused to drink water, so I had to force feed it to them. They were panting and drooling everywhere and STILL not drinking water. Stupid cats. But they stayed in the back (I had the back seat folded down to give them more room) and the dog stayed in the front passenger seat. It was the trip from hell, though. I'm not looking forward to taking my two current cats (one which had gone on that previous trip) for another 1100+ mile trip when I move... this time, in an extended cab pickup (Toyota Tacoma).

[Lorien]

39. Feliway is a "must have" for car trips with felines

imho. I also keep some on hand to calm the nerves of my fosters. It really helps to put them at ease (behavior modification spray-available at any major pet supply store).

[aquart]

48. I don't know about drinking

but in really bad heat I just poured water all over my cat, and let him lick.

[freeplessinseattle]

63. that's a great idea! I've thought about doing that with that pink

antibiotic fluid when I've had to (attempt) administer it to my cat.

[ellie]

91. I did the same thing in 2003 when I lived in the Detroit area

during the blackout. It was so hot, I poured water on the cats to keep them cool and to make sure they drank water.

I would never go anywhere without my cats. They don't like to ride in the car? Too bad. When I moved down to Toledo from Detroit, I had my two in the car with me and they decided to crawl into my lap on the Rouge River bridge in Detroit with semi's all over the place (they don't do car carriers very well).

Previously, I drove back and forth from Colorado with my cat Frances (she died in 2003). She was a real trooper and she didn't like the car carrier either.

[theHandpuppet]

23. If worse comes to worse

And you can't find a hotel that takes pets, you can always keep a sturdy pet carrier in your vehicle and that will serve as your "pet motel". Certainly not the best solution, but leaving them behind is not an option.

For a list of hotels that allow pets, please follow and bookmark this link:
http://www.letsgopets.com/?src_aid=Glgp

[Lorien]

25. Thanks for the link!

bookmarked. :hi:

[theHandpuppet]

32. You're welcome!

I like that site because it provides so much info on traveling with your pets, including the location of pet hospitals, vets, etc.

[spooky3]

26. Thanks to you and the OP. I've done some searching and entered

the info in my Palm for emergencies. Now I feel more comforted in knowing how I'll quickly find a place if I ever have to. Like others here, I could not leave my pets behind in the house with danger approaching.

[aquart]

49. Thank you for this.

I've already passed it on.

[peacebuzzard]

24. ALERT for "in danger" pet owners. If you need a place to go to....

pm me. I am in Tennessee but I have a place for you & your pets. It is very rustic, but a good refuge from the storm.
I have many pens and fenced in yards and plenty of food, good water and shelter.
Head to Knoxville and p.m. me.

[freeplessinseattle]

64. That is so wonderful of you! bless you n/t

[redacted]

27. Try Petswelcome.com along with these other hotel chains:

We own 3 medium and large dogs and have had at least good experiences since 1998 with these hotel chains in California:

Motel 6
La Quinta
Hilton, Hilton Suites and Hilton Garden Inn
Doubletree
Hotel Sofitel (owned by the French firm Accor and nicest of all to our dogs)
Mariott Residence Inn
Sheraton Four Points
Westin (St. Francis Hotel, San Francisco and SFO Airport)
Crowne Plaza
Best Western

Check with http://petswelcome.com/ because non-chains especially change policies frequently.

[Lorien]

29. Thanks redacted!

Bookmarked as well. Thanks to you and others here, our rescue will have many options to give those who call us for such information.:thumbsup:

[redacted]

35. In Metro New Orleans there are at least 28 hotels or motels that take pets

according to PetsWelcome.com. Here are a few examples:

W New Orleans
W New Orleans-French Quarter
MOTEL 6 - NEW ORLEANS
Quality Inn & Suites St. Charles
Drury Inn & Suites
La Quinta Inn New Orleans Bullard
La Quinta Inn & Suites New Orleans Downtown

I'm sure I speak for all DU pet owners on the West Coast in saying that we wish we could do more to help keep these pets--and their guardians--safe.

[smbolisnch]

30. KICK!

:kick:

[troubleinwinter]

33. me too!

[Greylyn58]

36. I would never leave my boy Sheridan

he is my furkid and my family. If I had to evacuate, he would go with me no matter what.

[AgadorSparticus]

41. My dogs are my kids and no way could I possibly leave them.

I'll live in my car before I desert my dogs.

[Lorien]

42. That is one gorgeous Golden

I know how you feel; I evacuated with my three cats from Orlando to Columbus, Ohio (my family is there). That was one long road trip!

[Greylyn58]

43. Thank you

he's my baby even though he's 9 years old now. He was 8 months old in that picture.

[Ladyhawk]

37. I guess they had to do it, but that's so cold!

One hour? Sigh.

Good luck to everyone and their pets in the path of the storm. My Gabby is microchipped, but I don't think he would live through such a storm if I left him behind. Of course, we don't have hurricanes in California...at least not yet. If climate change happens, who knows?

[Greylyn58]

38. For those who might need the info

here is another website that will help you find places that will allow your pets.

http://www.dogfriendly.com/

[roguevalley]

40. The red cross threw me out of a shelter once because, after a

whole day of keeping her hidden under a blanket, they spotted my ancient dachshund, Gretchen. Gretchie was 21 years old and they told me to put her outside. I almost came over the table at the little bitch. I took her and went out. I would die outside with her than leave her.

[Synnical]

44. The Humane Society here in Fort Lauderdale

Suggested that if you find a pet with a tag, to walk it home, if not, take care of it for a few days. The local Humane Society did not have electricty and could not care for abandoned pets.

I just got power back after 51 hours without it.

-Cindy in Fort Lauderdale

[Lorien]

45. Glad to hear that you're safe!

it took 11 days for me to get power after Charley. There were so many downed trees on my street that the power companies had to wait until backhoes could move enough debris for their trucks to get through.

I'm glad thay your humane society went on the air with that info. I wish that the same message had gotten out here in Orlando last year!

[Greylyn58]

46. I feel for all those in the path of any Hurricane

I had never experienced one until 1988 when Hurricane Hugo made its way inland after tearing through Charleston, SC. The first wind and rain reached Charlotte around 10pm, then it proceeded to put a smack down on us. I had never experienced such devastation. I saw things when it became light I hope never to see again.

My then husband and I were lucky, we only lost our power for about a day, but my poor folks didn't have power for over 3 weeks. Being so far inland, Duke Power had prepared some, but were basically caught flat-footed.

Charlotte is a city with alot of trees and Hugo made kindling of alot of them.

I truly hope everyone and their pets in the path of Katrina stays safe.

[BronxBoy]

65. Everyone was caught flat footed....

I was working for AT&T and we actually had a planning meeting where we strategized on a plan to go down to SC and provide instant phone service to anyone who had there phone service taken out by the storm. No believed that Charlotte would get smacked.

I remember the night that storm hit. I never heard anything like that in my life. My living room got blown out and I lost 80% of my vinyl collection. BUt we made it through the night.

I had a Black lab and she made out ok. I had just filled up my freezer with meat and when the power went, it was BBQ all the time, which she enjoyed. If your pet is on medication, always make sure you have a reserve supply for situations like this. It can be kinda tough to re up a prescription after a natural disaster.

BB

[Lorien]

47. Kick for our morning DUers

:kick:

[nofurylike]

50. important! thank you for this information! kick eom

[nofurylike]

51. kick

[nofurylike]

52. kick

[nofurylike]

53. kick

[nofurylike]

54. kick

[SlowDownFast]

55. That's fucked up!

I thought I was offended when I read the microchip thing...

but DESTROYED after ONE HOUR???

I woulda taken a whole houseful of new pets if I knew that, and I'm not the type to take pets on...

[nofurylike]

56. kick

[nofurylike]

57. kick

[nofurylike]

58. kick

[nofurylike]

59. kick

[nofurylike]

60. kick

[nofurylike]

61. thanks again! kick before going off. eom

[nofurylike]

62. hope folks will keep this kicked! eom

[Mairead]

66. bump

[Scout]

67. Also the Residence Inn chain accepts pets

great reminder about the collars with tags, thanks

[Greylyn58]

68. This is a monster storm!

Kicking to keep this info up front. Just watched the MSNBC and the mandatory evac orders---No mention of what to do with animals, or pets.

So here is the info any of our LA, AL DUer's need.

Stay safe everyone in this storms path.

[never_get_over_it]

69. I wouldn't leave without my animals

last year - four days after I moved to FL I had to evacuate for Frances. I took my two dogs and two cats with me - we went to a hotel in Valdosta GA which was the MOST disgusting place I had ever seen. The next day we searched for an alternative and found one which did not take animals - however under the circumstances the hotel didn't ask and we didn't tell. So PLEASE don't leave your animals I think a lot of hotels will turn a blind eye under the circumstances - however if you're going to a shelter that might be a different story. I think here in FL there are some designated shelters who will take animals so maybe you can find a pet friendly shelter

[theHandpuppet]

79. I'd take my chances and sleep in the car with my pets

Before I'd ever leave them behind. Would folks leave their children behind? Hell, no!

[serryjw]

90. Unfortunately not enough

I evacuated for Georges and went to high country with Einstein. Pinelles County had room for about 2000 animals. What are the elderly and poor suppoose to do? They can't afford a hotel room?

[BrklynLiberal]

70. kick

[yellowdogintexas]

74. kick nt

[smbolisnch]

71. Kick!

[lavenderdiva]

72. Thanks for posting this information, Lorien

I can't imagine leaving without my beloved pets.. We've always stayed at La Quinta because of their pet-friendly policy. There's no additional deposit for bringing them with you either. Same room rate as always.

[SW FL Dem]

73. When I travel with my dogs, I write my # on their bellies

with a Sharpie (permanent marker). If they get away, anyone who finds them can call my home or cell

[BrklynLiberal]

76. What a GREAT idea!!!!!!!! I will remember that!

[Lorien]

85. Excellent idea!

a fine sharpie could be used inside a cat's ears, too (need someone to help hold the kitty, though)!

[Karenina]

75. Kick!

:kick:

[ordinaryaveragegirl]

77. Kick and more info...

I work for a major hotel/resort company, and we do take pets, especially if there's an emergency. There may be an extra deposit required in some places, but it's worth it, IMO. The property I'm at has taken in a lot of people - and their pets - due to various things, like ice storms and floods, as well as just people traveling. I've noticed that a lot of the Accor and Choice chain hotels accept pets (Comfort/Quality Inn, Motel 6, Red Roof, etc). Also, Holiday Inn is pretty good about that, as are many of the various hotels owned by Marriott, Hyatt and Hilton - like Hawthorne, Ameri Suites, Homewood, and Residence Inn. If you let them know you are fleeing Katrina, they will probably be pretty understanding. :)

[Greylyn58]

78. Kick!

[Greylyn58]

80. Kick

[Greylyn58]

81. Kick

[egadsbrain]

82. Kick & link info

Great idea, also what a great idea to put an ID with a Sharpie on your dogs belly... maybe you could fit a phone # in a cats' ear?

The New Orleans shelter has closed and is evacuating their animals: http://www.la-spca.org/

Save the link... I'm guessing they're going to need lots of donations post-Katrina.

[MzShellG]

83. Bumpity-thump for my 4 legged pals...nt

[moondust]

84. kick.

[Patiod]

87. Red Cross policy forbids pets - be aware before you go

Kick
:kick:

[redacted]

88. Hopefully not ONE SINGLE PET should be left behind. See link:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

Here's a brief summary:

The Louisiana SPCA has evacuated twenty-five dogs that are being held pending court cases and are on their way to Baton Rouge Animal Control to ride out Hurricane Katrina. Approximately 250 animals, strays and adoptables, will be moved to the Houston SPCA this evening in two 16’ climate-controlled trucks.

This is obviously a very intense undertaking for the shelter amd the shelter itself is said to flood extremely easily and will likely sustain major damage.

Please donate whatever you can - even if only a dollar or two - to help their evacuation expenses and also the extra expenses they will have after the storm, as they will surely be inundated with misplaced, lost, and abandoned animals.

Donation page:
http://www.la-spca.org/forms/donations.htm

For an idea of how serious this situation is, here is LIVE VIDEO COVERAGE from WDSU NBC 6 in New Orleans:

http://www.wdsu.com/index.html?refresh=1200
In left column, look for heading: "Live Video WDSU WeatherPlus"

or try:
http://www.wdsu.com/video/4782824/detail.html

[Jane Austin]

89. Red Roof Inns all take pets.

n/t

[barb162]

92. does anyone know what happened to the animals in the Audubon Zoo?

[Kool Kitty]

93. Bless you for the work that you do.

And I have a question, I don't know if anyone has asked it or if it has been answered but what do they do with the animals in the zoo? Is there a zoo in the area that will be affected?