by Cindi Clarke

Created on: May 01, 2008   Last Updated: December 10, 2008

Hurricane Katrina was a wake-up for all pet owners that live in potential hurricane zones, or any other areas subject to natural weather disasters. Even when I lived in Southern California near the San Andreas fault line, it never occurred to me to have an emergency bag for my dogs or cats. But watching the videos, seeing the pictures, and listening to all the horror stories of pets left behind in the New Orleans floods terrified me.

What would I do if faced with those choices? I knew I would never leave my pets behind, but what if I had no choice? I live in a community right on the Gulf Coast, so hurricane season always has a big impact on how we live in the summer. The year that Katrina hit, we had three hurricanes brush us, so a major storm hitting us was more than just a possibility.

My car at the time was a small (economical) four-door, but certainly not large enough to evacuate safely with four cats in carriers and my two dogs. When Katrina hit, I was watching two neighbors' houses, and was also responsible for another dog and two more cats. There was no way I could have gotten everyone out of town. In the weeks after Hurricane Katrina I researched larger vehicles that would be safe and economical, and traded my small car in for a mini-van. My daily commute to work was less than 10 miles a day, so it was just as economical gas wise as the smaller car, but would also hold all of my companion animals, those of neighbors if necessary, and up to four adult passengers.

While trading in your car may not be an option, when making emergency weather plans you must consider how you will safely evacuate. Consider the size of any pet carriers, and where they will fit comfortably without impairing your vision in the vehicle. Where will people sit? Can everyone wear seat belts? Can pet carriers be secured? If your vehicle will not safely hold all of your companion animals and the people in your life, look into back-up plans. Do you have family, a friend or a neighbor that could take one or more of your animals? Plan out an evacuation route that all of you will take, and designate pre-arranged meeting places. Many hotels now take animals, research those that will be along your route.

If you know in advance that you will definitely evacuate and need to stay in hotels (rather than with friends or family out of the area), you might consider making advance reservations at a hotel as soon as the storm pattern appears to be bringing the hurricane your way. If possible, leave

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