Where do people who have to evacuate stay if they leave with cats or dogs?

Question

Are there motels that let people stay with pets, since public shelters do not? Or do these people just have to sleep in their cars with the pets?

Answer 1

Some motels allow pets. Unfortunately, in crisis situations where evacuation is required, many pets don't get to go with their owners...my local shelter ended up with quite a few dogs rescued from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Answer 2

When there is a situation that requires an area, no matter how big or small, to be evacuated, it is usually the last course of action taken. It could be an organized evacuation or a last minute one. Because of that, emergency shelters are usually only set up with humans in mind and not pets.

If an emergency shelter does allow pets, they usually have strict rules such as only certain breeds allowed and other breeds are prejudiced again, such as pit bulls and even live stock. The pets usually have to be collared AND in a cage of some kind AND be up to date on their shots. You have to remember, emergency and evacuation shelters are usually set up in a very short period of time They may not have the time or money to consider all possible situations, including people with pets. They also usually are following what the government (local, state, or national) has outlined in the way of rules and regulations of setting up shelters. If it says nothing at all, or only limited information, on pets then that is what they follow.

There are lots of hotels and motels that do allow pets since more and more people are traveling with their pets nowadays. Of course, they have size and breed restrictions. You will need to call individual chains or establishments for those restrictions as they will vary from location to location. Also, they will usually charge more per night if you do bring a pet. Just like a pet deposit at an apartment, it is to cover any extra cleaning aside form just normal human cleaning after you leave the room.

Answer 3

I live in a hurricane prone area and most of the emergency shelters here still do not allow pets. There are separate shelters for pets now, but owners must be able to prove their pets are up to date on their vaccinations. These shelters tend to fill up really quickly, too.

Some hotels and motels do allow pets. Unfortunately, these places are just as likely to fill up in a hurry. When they announced the evacuation for hurricane Jean in 2004, you couldn't find a motel room within 200 miles of here. I think everyone is overly critical of people who are forced to leave their pets and go to a shelter in crisis situations. In many cases, these people are responsible pet owners, but they were left with no other choice.

Answer 4

After Katrina, new laws were passed requiring FEMA to establish separate shelters for pets whenever they require evacuations of an area.
During Katrina HSUS, American Humane and others worked out a deal with Red Cross for their personnel to ride in trucks or boats with Red Cross staff, help with rescue of humans, and bring along any pets.
Never again are people supposed to be forced to leave without their pets.
If you need to use any of this, put ID on your pet/s. Microchip is great, but tags too, and always let them know where you can be reached.
If you can, be proactive and search out pet friendly motels in advance as other people have suggested. Think about out of town family, too, who might be able to reserve space for you at a vet in their area if you can get them there.

Answer 5

Many cities now offer shelters that allow pets. The pets have to be crated and up to date on immunizations.

Some hotels, like Motel 6 allows pets as do some local hotels that offer reduced rates for evacuees.

Answer 6

Your luck will depend on how many animals you have and how large they are. Go to Petfriendly.com and you can find a list of hotels/motels that allow pets. If you absolutely can't find anything you could go onto craigslist and pick your state/city, and under housing - Temporary, you could say you're looking for a temporary place to stay with your pets. Good luck!!!