As Hurricane Irene was beginning to strike the East Coast of the U.S., we went on the air with Cynthia Segal of All Paws Pet Talk to discuss our mission of disaster preparedness for pets.
Animals In Disaster Digest
Hurricane Irene 2011
Toni McNulty - Friday, August 26, 2011
UPDATE - AUGUST 27, 2011MARYLAND: Rockville residents seeking shelter for their pets can drop them off in cages at the Bauer Drive Community Center at 14625 Bauer Dr. That facility opens at 4 p.m., according to county spokeswoman Esther Bowring.
MASSACHUSETTS: Northampton Pet-friendly shelter at Smith Vocational/Agriculture High School, Locust Street opens 5 PM Sat.
NEW JERSEY:
Pets welcome at all evacuation shelters across the state, per Gov. Christie. Bring your own pet supplies.
Notice to Millburn-Short Hills Residents: Millburn High School will be open as a reception center for people needing shelter, but officials stress that it is meant only for people with “no other place to go.” Evacuees will be taken via school bus to a regional American Red Cross shelter in Morris County. Emergency Management officials also want to make it clear that no pets, other than service animals will be allowed and people need to make other arrangements for their animals. Full story.
Bergen County: All regional shelters will be petfriendly - dogs and cats only.
Freehold Township: Monmouth County Youth Detention Center, 119 Dutch Lane has been converted into a temporary animal and homeless shelter in advance of Hurricane Irene.
Ocean County: Questions about moving livestock? Contact Lt. James Manley at OEM. Phone: 732-341-3451.
NEW YORK: Pet-friendly shelter in the Woodland building at the Suffolk Community College Eastern Campus.
Members of the ASPCA’s Field Investigations and Response Team are working alongside the New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and the OEM’s Animal Planning Task Force to assist with the city’s disaster relief efforts. Full Article
NORTH CAROLINA: Horse shelters: Sen. Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center in Williamston and Hunt Horse Complex in Raleigh.
Pitt County: Helen's Grooming World, 3198 E. 10th St., Phone: 378-5649 /758-6333 taking evacuated pets.
PENNSYLVANIA: Berks County Animal Rescue League and Humane Society will shelter pets for evacuees.
RHODE ISLAND: Tiverton woman offers shelter for pets for people who evacuate.
VERMONT: The Vermont Agriculture Agency advises livestock and pet owners to take storm precautions.
UPDATE - AUGUST 26, 2011
DELAWARE: State Veterinarian puts livestock and small flock owners on alert.
MAINE:
If it is decided to open shelters, the Lewiston Armory will be opened and pet-friendly.
MARYLAND: Talbot County Humane will offer a pet shelter.
NEW JERSEY: Cape May County Emergency Management Coordinator "urged pet owners to bring their animals, including those heading to shelters. He said it is important in light of the number of people who remained during Hurricane Katrina when it struck Louisiana. Those who are concerned about their pets but can’t take them along can drop them off at the Cape May County Airport on Breakwater Road in Lower Township, where arrangements for their care can be made." Full story
Toms River: The shelter at High School North will open Friday at 8 a.m., and will be pet-friendly.
Monmouth County: A pet shelter will be set up at Brookdale Community College in the Lincroft section of Middletown.
Westwood-Washington Township: The borough will open a shelter at the Westwood Community Center if needed, but pet food will not be available. Bring pet food, leashes and carriers for pets if you evacuate.
NEW YORK:
New York City: Pets are not allowed in city shelters. Service animals are allowed. If pet owners are required to leave their homes in an emergency, the city advises owners to arrange for family or friends outside the danger area to shelter their pet. Only “legal pets with proper identification” will be admitted into city shelters with their owners, the city says on its website. Read "Ready New York for Pets"
Southampton News: Experts Urge Residents to Remember Pets During Hurricane.
Suffolk County - Call Fire Rescue Emergency Service and listen to the radio for pet-friendly shelters.
Riverhead: The county will most likely open a shelter in Yaphank that will accept both people and pets.
NORTH CAROLINA:
Pamlico County- A shelter there will open Friday at 1 p.m. at Pamlico County Community College and will be pet friendly.
Pet-friendly shelters open Friday in New Hanover County, Brunswick County, and Pender County.
New Hanover County, Opening 6 p.m. Friday, Noble Middle School, 6520 Market Street, Wilmington (pet-friendly shelter)
Brunswick County: West Brunswick High School, 550 Whiteville Road, Shallotte (pet-friendly shelter)
Pets will be accepted at any shelter. However, West Brunswick HS is the only co-location shelter where pets will be sheltered in the same building as their owners. Pets taken to North or South High Schools will be transported to another location for sheltering. Full story
Guilford County Animal Shelter waiting to hear whether they will need to send their large trailer to transport or treat animals.
Camp LeJeune: Onslow County Animal response Teams manage a pet shelter co-located with a Red Cross shelter at Jacksonville Commons Middle School. Dogs, cats and caged birds are accepted as long as animals are accompanied by their owners and those owners stay in the adjacent emergency shelter.
RHODE ISLAND:
An emergency shelter for residents with animals will also be set up at the Warren Recreation Center, or the old Mary V. Quirk building at 790 Main Street. Residents should be aware that anyone bringing an animal must provide proof of vaccinations. Residents are advised that they should bring their own blankets, pillows, and essential hurricane supply kit items. Emergency shelters will be staffed beginning at 6:00pm Sunday evening.
VIRGINIA:
Chesapeake will open four shelters Friday at 7 p.m. at Oscar Smith High School, Hickory Middle School, Western Branch High School and Thurgood Marshall Elementary School. A pet shelter will be available at River Crest Community Center, 1001 River Walk Pkwy., and pet owners can stay at Oscar Smith High. Pet owners must provide food and bedding for their pet. A cage/crate and vaccination information should also be provided but are not required.
Hampton: "If shelters are opened, Bethel High School would be the first shelter. We would be prepared to allow residents who are sheltered there to bring pets. Residents should bring cages or crates, if possible, as well as pet food, medications and anything else the animals might require." Residents can find out about shelters close to them by calling 211.
UPDATE - August 25, 2011
FACEBOOK PAGE TO CONNECT EVACUEES WHO NEED SOMEONE TO CARE FOR THEIR PETS.
DELAWARE: If disaster strikes, you can bring your pet with you to emergency shelter.
FLORIDA:
Veterinarians begin preparations for Hurricane Irene. Full story
SOUTH CAROLINA:
North Charleston, SC - Storm shelter has rules on pets
NORTH CAROLINA:
The Pitt County, NC Animal Shelter says it can house pets if owners are forced to evacuate. Pets must have rabies tags and proof of immunizations, and an identification tag on the pet's collar if possible. The shelter also suggests bringing clearly labeled collars, leashes, crates and carriers. If the animal is on a special diet they ask owners to provide the food. In order for pets to have the comforts of home, they recommend leaving blankets, towels or other bedding. Source
WHAT IS SART?
State Animal Response Teams (SART) are interagency state organizations dedicated to preparing, planning, responding and recovering during animal emergencies in the United States. Check out the NC SART here.
FIRST REPORTS - August 24, 2011
As Hurricane Irene approaches the Bahamas and heads toward the U.S. East Coast, we begin our reporting of information to help those with animals in the impacted areas keep them as safe as possible. We encourage you to help us add to these resources. If you hear of any pet-friendly evacuation shelters, official notices, or other helpful information, please click on "Comments" below and post it.
If you live in a hurricane-prone area, and have not yet prepared your family and your animals, we hope you will do it today.
Mandatory Evacuation of Ocracoke Island as Irene Approaches
TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS A PET FRIENDLY SHELTER IN YOUR AREA, CALL YOUR COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICE OR LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER. Some are listed at this website.
For those in FLORIDA, a pet-friendly shelter guide.
For those in SOUTH CAROLINA - Emergency pet shelter at N. Charleston Coliseum.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WEBSITES FOR STATES IN HURRICANE IRENE'S CURRENT PATH:
FLORIDA
GEORGIA
SOUTH CAROLINA
NORTH CAROLINA
VIRGINIA
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