ParrotMom

With this horrendous disaster that we have all seen with our own eyes in our own country and the failure rapid enough efforts I think we should all take a moment to think of how we would rescue and save our pets. if it were an immediate emergency I could grab pillow cases for my birds and with a few minutes more their carrying cases, a huge canister of seed and bottle of water..For our beloved dog (10 pound dog) there is a carrier or I'd toss her in one of my tote bags. Ive just received an note from a group that is going to down rescue parrots. BTW the zoo in NO had made plans and with the exception of one errant croc or alligator everybody is accounted for.
http://www.noahswish.org/

dcespedes

My understanding is that two otters died but amazingly those were the only deaths? Great thread--sorry to say I hadn't thought about our cat--I must be a bad mom!

cmcfong

Quite a few of the posters on the "What are you doing differently?" thread have mentioned pets. Parrot Mom could I copy your message and paste it over there, too? You were the first with suggestions on birds.
Thanks for thinking of the pets. The horror of having to surrender them in order to save yourself or your child is just horrible to contemplate and yet many people had to do it. Bless them all.

aileen679

I would never leave a dog or cat. I would put them in the car with me and sleep in the car with them if I had to. Now, if the only way out would be by bus, I would have to think long and hard. I suspect I would put off making that decision so long that I would be left stranded. I really don't know what I would do with a bird. I know they make wonderful, loving pets, but I have never had the chance to get to know one.

dsquared

Our county has one shelter specifically set aside for people and their pets. As you may imagine, it fills up very quickly. Fortunately, the dog track here opened a pet shelter during last year's hurricanes for those who couldn't get into the county shelter.

So, call your county or city emergency management office and ask them what arrangements of this type are available. If there aren't any, well, perhaps this is an opportunity to change things.

ParrotMom

Yes, please post "Emergency Plans for our Pets...anywhere you like.. Also, there are stickers that are available that you can post on your door and windows telling firemen and police exactly how many dogs, cats, birds, etc. Cats I understand always hide under beds..Several bird magazines always mention "emergency plans".. especially because of the bird owners in CA and other states that are prone to fires, hurricanes, etc. I've just received another e-mails asking to have requests for transportation to pick up birds and for volunteers to go and help rescue them from Arizona. There are for parrot owners many internet boards, I do not participate. Today I checked all my carriers and made sure they were clean... If by chance you don't have a carrier they can be picked up at yard sales and flea markets.
For our little picky dog I keep her kibble in a cannister and there are always wet packets of dog food around

Santa_Claus

Folks, setting aside the screen name, this post is genuine. We care.
_____________________

Ok, so after donating to my charity of choice, I couldn't sit still. I wanted to go and offer help directly, but that wasn't feasable.

Instead, I have done the only thing I know I can do quickly and effectively...build a website!

I have created a Hurricane Family Help portal located at http://www.hurricanefamilyhelp.org

1st things 1st - we DO NOT accept donations.

Here is the stated purpose:

1) To unite displaced individuals and families of hurricane Katrina with others willing to offer immediate SHORT TERM shelter.

2) To unite displaced individuals and families of hurricane Katrina with others willing to offer LONG TERM shelter.

3) To unite the survivors with family and friends.

4) To find full or part time employment opportunities for hurricane victims.

5) To provide contact information for charities, communities, and churches offering assistance.

Thank you,
Craig

cmcfong

The ASPCA website offers an excellent checklist for pet owners to use in making disaster plans.