I honestly don’t know how many people are leaving their pets behind because they can’t bring them into shelters or whatever the case is (it’s hard for me to agree with any excuse) but I’m having a hard time processing the fact that animals will have to go through this storm. It shatters my heart and I just needed to express my feelings. I could never do that and don’t think anyone who does deserves their pet. My heart goes out to all the animals in the area and pray every single one of them ends up okay. Wondering if anyone else is thinking this too.
Edit: Apparently there are a decent amount of pet-friendly shelters. Also, we have known about this hurricane for days so this isn’t a question of last-minute decision. Not to mention these people live in a hurricane-prone state, you should absolutely have a plan in place that includes your pets if you do.
At least in my area of Florida (within the zone expecting a direct hit) the majority of shelters are pet friendly. There are a few no-pet shelters as well, partly to serve people with allergies etc. I do worry about pets left behind but in this case most people are not forced to choose between safety and their furry family.
There are pet-friendly shelters. Just saw a local mayor on CNN telling people where to go with their pets. Plan ahead in hurricane season, people. Please.
After one of the hurricanes that caused a lot of devastation, I thought they changed the laws so that pets had to be allowed in shelters? I know here in my state, people refused to leave their pets behind and it resulted in worse situations. Humane Society often steps in to search for abandoned pets.
It’s better now. Many shelters allow pets. I remember during Katrina in New Orleans, they wouldn’t let a boy bring his dog, and they made him leave it by the side of the road. After the storm, the streets were just littered with dead pets.
I wish people wouldn’t jump to blame. If you haven’t been in that situation, you can’t know what you would do. Saying desperate people don’t care about their pets is heartless. Emergencies happen fast, and you can’t always get your animals out. It’s easy to judge from the safety of your home.
Zed said: @Dru
I’m in Australia, and we have bushfires that move really fast. Sometimes animals get spooked and run, and there’s just no time to gather them up.
But with this hurricane, there’s been days to prepare, so the ‘last-minute’ excuse isn’t valid.
It’s harsh, but I hope if pets are left behind, it’s a quick death. It’s even more heartbreaking to think about those that survive but are stranded, slowly dying.
Jules said:
It’s harsh, but I hope if pets are left behind, it’s a quick death. It’s even more heartbreaking to think about those that survive but are stranded, slowly dying.
Scared and alone… I’m holding my pets tight, promising them I’ll never leave them.
