Here's Poppy with her bright red emergency bag ready to go out the door. It's also her pre-packed travel bag with everything she needs, except food and water, when we travel. (We have an emergency backpack that has a supply of food and water for all of us.)
The heart of hurricane season is here. If you have companion animals, you need a plan because, should a storm or other disaster strike, you are on your own when it comes to finding shelter for your entire family.
The City of Boston ReadyBoston program says, “Don't forget your pets! If your family needs to go to a shelter, please know that all Red Cross shelters and many others do not allow pets unless they are service animals. Talk to your veterinarian now to determine where the closest emergency animal shelter is located to ensure your pet's safety.”
Make Your Own Plan & Emergency Kit
I doubt your veterinarian will have a satisfactory answer to that question. You have to make plans for a safe place to go with your animals in case of an emergency. While large scale disasters come to mind, it could also be a water leak or fire in your building.
If you have a friend or relative who will shelter you for a few days, that is ideal. You should also have the phone numbers of a few pet-friendly hotels, both near your home and in the surrounding areas, where you might reserve a room until the immediate danger has passed and those charged with emergency management begin to offer solutions for families with animals.
MSPCA Emergency Resource Pages
The MSPCA has set up a very complete and helpful collection of disaster planning resources on their website.
They break down what you need to do into three sections:
Preparedness Before the Disaster
Evacuation Essentials
After the Disaster
Support Pending Legislation
Perhaps the most important thing you can do is act to change the current situation that leaves those of us with companion animals on our own in disaster situations.
State Senator Karen Spilka has introduced, “An Act ensuring the safety of people with pets in disasters.” It is bill number S. 1172. Contact your state senator and representative and ask them to support S. 1172. The MSPCA has a page explaining what this legistation will do and why it should be supported.
Ask the Mayoral Candidates
Since we have a mayoral race underway in Boston, you might ask those candidates what they'll do to change the city’s emergency plans to include those of us who consider our animals part of our family.
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino
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