With the ongoing disaster in Houston, Texas, and our memories of Hurricane Katrina as well as floods, forest fires and tornadoes here in Patrick County, what do we, the citizens, know about what is available to us? Where will our companion animals go in an evacuation?
Don’t dismiss their importance—”all lives matter.”
Here is the law: Public Law 109-308 from HR 3858 Pet Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006. The bill which passed 349-24, requires that state and local preparedness offices take into account pet owners, household pets and service animals when drawing up evacuation plans. Offices that fail to do so would not qualify for grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The law was signed by President Bush on October 6, 2006.
Take your pet with you if you evacuate. Know that pets (other than service dogs) usually are not permitted in emergency shelters for health reasons. Be sure to bring their collar with ID and rabies tags, bowls, food and bedding. They need to be crated, if possible.
In September 2004, Kathy L. Smith of Dry Pond died on her property trying to save her pets. Remnants of Hurricane Jeanne brought heavy rains to that area for two days. A week and a half earlier, remnants of Hurricane Ivan brought wind damage and tornadoes to our county. Disaster can happen.
In Patrick County, where would your pet be housed and who would care for them? What is your responsibility?
Contact the county administrator, Tom Rose, at (276) 694-6094 or email trose@co.patrick.va.us.
Ask him what the plan is for animals, where your pet would be housed and any other information you need to know pertaining to the situation. He should provide this information to you.
David A. Sheley
Secretary
Patrick Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)
