Emergency Relief for Animals
“When pets are barred from public transit or Red Cross shelters,” says Priscilla Feral, president of Friends of Animals, “people understandably risk their lives by avoiding evacuations. Dogs shouldn't be pulled from the arms of kids. People shouldn't be stranded on a fridge with a cat because no one will transport or shelter both of them.”
Severe weather, such as Hurricane Katrina, has shown that states must consider pets in evacuation and sheltering plans. In 2005, Friends of Animals conducted a national survey of 50 states about their current disaster plans, and asked whether they include pets.
Some states have considered the importance of safely bringing animals out of homes when disaster strikes, but 20 states have no emergency plan for pet evacuation and sheltering, and some other states only mention animals in their disaster plans.
Friends of Animals urges each state to develop a plan to provide disaster help for animals in homes, no matter where in the country they are.
Get Involved
- Be Informed
- Make sure your state has made sufficient plans to prepare for a disaster. Visit our U.S. State Animal Disaster Plan section to see if your state has a plan, and read the plan if they do.
- Participate
- Contact your state respresentative to make yourself heard.
Recommended Reading
Updated March 30, 2006
Friends of Animals Urges State Disaster Planning for PetsDecember 14, 2005
Helping in the Hurricane: Suggestions for Direct GivingSeptember 05, 2005
