For animal lovers

[Maveno]

Oh yeah.. I agree rattus. That's apparently why so many didn't leave, because they (rescuers,etc) wouldn't take the pets too. There's no way I would leave without my babies either.
I know it sounds stupid, especially when my life is at stake...but I think about disasters and what I would/wouldn't do in regards to them. Especially since the tsunami and the hurricanes, etc.. all the tragedies happening lately...it's hard NOT to think about what I'd do.
I can't seem to "agree" with fleeing without them. I dunno...I mean, if there's a wall of water coming at me, I'm sure my attitude wouldn't be so cavalier.
Or I would be.. cuz I do know right now...that I WOULD jump in front of a vehicle to save any/all of my babies. Call me a whack job..I don't care. What would be different about a tsunami coming?

In regards to the New Orleans, etal residents that stayed in their homes after the storm passed..the ones who denied being rescued unless the pets came as well.. that's without a doubt for me.

[ArchieComic Fan]

I live in coastal Georgia and our evacuation system doesn't allow people to bring their pets either and the emergency shelters won't let you stay with them if you have pets. I'm with you Maveno, I couldn't leave without my pets or at least without some plan for their safety. Thankfully I'm blessed with a car and that's how my family and our pets would travel. But when Hurricane Floyd came our way some years back, the evacuation was a nightmare. It took people 16-24 hours to get to locations that would normally only take 4 hours and all the hotels were price gouging beyond belief. They made a lot of changes after that debacle and promised us next time traffic won't be backlogged like that but we'll see.

But all the people that have to rely on their local government to transport them out can't take their pets and none of the animal shelters will take them during an emergency so what are people supposed to do?

I'd vote for anyone that would be able to come up with and implement a plan for animals in emergency situations. They tell us to spay, neuter, and adopt pets but then won't allow us anywhere to keep them when a hurricane is on the way.

[misskitty]

idowhati'mtold Cute wombat. Is she/he yours?

I'm with you guys. My kitts are my kids. I don't leave without them. Simple as that. Someone should develop a pet rescue system to be put in place of a disaster. What a fabulous idea. It would create jobs, give priceless service and assistance and make things easier for those already in distress. And saves the trouble of trying to reunite them afterwards.

Now, how can we get the government to pay for it? Any ideas?

[just1paul]

There needs to be an attitude adjustment away from the human life above all other. First off, at the earliest sign that a catastrophe was imminent I wouldn't wait, I would pack up the kids, and whatever else and GO! I know that a lot of people are poor and can barely pay for their existence, let alone a furkid, and I'll probably get hung for this next statement but seriously, if you are that poor and can barely get by, you cannot afford a furkid, because what do you do if they get sick? It's not cheap, and it's not fair to the four legger if you cannot provide quality of life. I was poor at times but the life and well being of my kids was/is always paramount. Many Vets do not bill anymore but demand payment at time of service, which I fortunately never needed whenI was poor, but had a credit balance with the vet. (I would give them 10 or 20 dollars each payday, so I went without cigarettes or someething big deal- How many people do you see can't afford this , can't afford that but have their cigs and beer?)A hold over from the poor days is when I go grocery shopping, first thing I put in the cart is cat food and litter, my reasoning is I can always starve a little or mooch from someone, but how do you tell those innocent, trusting eyes that you can't feed them what's best for them because you want to eat. (I used to eat a lot of beans/rice/pasta/boloney in the old days, as well as spaghetti with ketchup). Rescue efforts need to include those creatures who trust us with their lives. My mom wouldn't leave without either the bassett or max the cat, but my dad(even though he is wonderful with them) says animals are very resilient(sp?) I argue, maybe so but put yourself in their place in a catastrophe - how frightening it must be! Sorry about the long winded post, but even thinking of having to go without my Mona & Joey makes me mad.

[ArchieComic Fan]

I agree with you gabriel! I know that pets can really give comfort to people when they are down and out and that's why many people probably own one even when they can't afford it, but like you said, what about when the pet needs veterinarian care or nutritious food (not table scraps)? On the one hand you want to praise people for saving a pet from being in the shelter but on the other you want to slap them when you see them buying beer, cigarettes, magazines, and lottery tickets but can't get their pets a yearly rabies shot at the very least or pet food. Watching Animal Rescue type shows on Animal Planet breaks my heart when animal control has to rescue dogs and cats that are starving with their ribs showing. I just want to beat those people down!

[Rattus]

I am in total agreement, Gabriel and ACF. In times of financial crisis, the boys needs come first. If cheap food doesn't sit well with me, my body will tell me so and I can rectify things, but the boys can't tell me when things are going wrong (they're so stoic, bless their furry little hearts) so they get the best always.

I love how we all have our boys as avatars.

[just1paul]

I am in total agreement, Gabriel and ACF. In times of financial crisis, the boys needs come first. If cheap food doesn't sit well with me, my body will tell me so and I can rectify things, but the boys can't tell me when things are going wrong (they're so stoic, bless their furry little hearts) so they get the best always.

I love how we all have our boys as avatars.

Um Rattus --My avatar Mona is a GIRL (If you want I could lift her tail and snap a picture for you.) Joey the boy is into KITTY PORN -- HAHAHAHAHAHA

[MRD]

I live in coastal Georgia and our evacuation system doesn't allow people to bring their pets either and the emergency shelters won't let you stay with them if you have pets. I'm with you Maveno, I couldn't leave without my pets or at least without some plan for their safety. Thankfully I'm blessed with a car and that's how my family and our pets would travel. But when Hurricane Floyd came our way some years back, the evacuation was a nightmare. It took people 16-24 hours to get to locations that would normally only take 4 hours and all the hotels were price gouging beyond belief. They made a lot of changes after that debacle and promised us next time traffic won't be backlogged like that but we'll see.

But all the people that have to rely on their local government to transport them out can't take their pets and none of the animal shelters will take them during an emergency so what are people supposed to do?

I'd vote for anyone that would be able to come up with and implement a plan for animals in emergency situations. They tell us to spay, neuter, and adopt pets but then won't allow us anywhere to keep them when a hurricane is on the way.

We are fortunate to have 2 pet friendly hurricane shelters less than a mile from our house. More and more shelters in Florida are taking pets. They realized after the last 2 seasons that people will NOT leave their pets.
Now, that said: pets must be in a crate and they are kept in a separate room from the people (due to allergies, etc)

So you can take your pet, but you can't sit or sleep with them.

[misskitty]

Joey the boy is into KITTY PORN -- HAHAHAHAHAHA

I try to keep my little boy away from that sort of thing. I haven't found any magazines under his tree so I think Im ok for a few years

I agree with everyone. The kitts get their $60 bag of food and litter before I get my groceries as well. I never even blink at a vet bill. I don't remember the last time I bought a steak. And yet I know some people too who complain they are poor, while they stand there with their cell-phone, Ipod, new car, styled hair, designer clothes at a very nice restaurant. Sheesh. Their expectations are extremely high and their responsibility level, terribly low.

Since Oprah is now addressing how badly people are in debt, it's obviously a problem. But it really only bothers me when animals are involved and aren't taken care of properly. Our furry friends have to depend on us for good judgement and loving care 24/7.

[phat32]

We celebrated my birthday yesterday...and our dachshund's today. Here's Henry, opening his gift of a new sweater and enjoying a bone-shaped cookie we baked for him. Silly, but fun. If anyone wants the recipe, we'll pass it along. They're fun and easy to make and less expensive than purchasing those "gourmet dog biscuits."