Emergency Preparedness: Where to Take Fido and/or Felix in an Emergency

By BL Ochman

take the dogAs Ike Pigott points out in his post today, many shelters won't accept pets.

I had to evacuate my apartment two blocks south of the World Trade Center on 9/11, and there was no way I was leaving Benny's predecessor, my wonderful Yellow Lab, Sam, behind. We stayed with friends for a couple of nights but eventually spent nearly two months in a wonderful hotel that accepts pets.

Please check now to see what hotels and motels in your area accept pets and keep that list with your emergency supplies. Many large chains welcome pets, including:
   • Holiday Inn,
   • Motel 6
   • Red Roof Inn
   • Best Western
   • Quality Inn

Here are some websites that can help you find pet-friendly hotels near you:
   • Pet Friendly Hotels
   • Pets Welcome
   • Dog Friendly

Sierra Cares Animal Advocates and other animal rescue organizations advise "If you evacuate your home, Do Not Leave Your Pets Behind! Pets most likely cannot survive on their own; and if by some remote chance they do, you may not be able to find them when you return."

Posted September 25, 2007, filed in Emergency Preparedness

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6 Comments

From Pamela, September 25 2007

This is advice that works in the US and, with which I wholeheartedly agree, but in other countries, not so easy in practice.

When I was evacuated because of a massive forest fire in Tenerife (Canary Islands) this summer, I could not bring myself to leave my four cats and dog behind either, which was what most people were doing here: just letting them go free and hoping they would take care of themselves. Being in a rural area, this was livestock, as well as pets. It was heartbreaking.

Animal friendly hotels here though are not commonplace, in fact, I don't know of any who allow them. Fortunately, I did know of a vet who offered kennels (probably the only one on the island), but with a "numerous family", plus transport costs, just one night cost us as much as I normally spend on rent for the entire month.

From BL Ochman, September 26 2007

Pamela - so glad you and your pets were ok. seems like the point is that you knew in advance about the vet who would take your family members, and that's preparedness.
BL

From Cathy McManus, September 27 2007

Pamela,
You are so right. We are very lucky here in the U.S. to have motels and hotels that will accept pets. The #1 item on my evacuation plan is where to move the animals, horses and goats especially. The dogs and cat go with me in the jeep and go where I go. I guess the burbs will never be the same when I show up at my sister's house with horses and goats.
BTW, love the picture of Benny in the Bag and maybe you could get a picture of Benny & the Jets, BL.

From BL Ochman, September 27 2007

Cathy - I must confess: that's a stock photo, and not Benny at all. But that is something he would do.

I do love the image of your ark going to your sister's house.

From Fercita, September 29 2007

It's true that there are some pet friendly hotels in the US but sadly most of them have restriction policies about size… I have a husky who weights 50 lbs, and it's kind of dificult to find a hotel for him!!! :) But I always take him with me whereever I go!!

From BL Ochman, September 29 2007

Fercita - That's true in general, but during 9/11 those restrictions were lifted in most places and I think you'd find that to be the case in a disaster.

In NYC, everyone was glad to see survivors, including my 92-pound Lab.

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