Disaster planning for pets.

• Author: Bevan, Laura
• Position: Life In America

IN THE OVERWHELMING tragedy of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, while workers frantically tried to find and save possible survivors in the rubble, another rescue effort was underway as well. In the evacuated apartments surrounding Ground Zero, companion animals waited faithfully for the return of their displaced families. These owners had left for work that morning, never comprehending the horror that would change the fate of so many in such a short time, never knowing as they petted and/or murmured goodbyes to their beloved dog, cat, rabbit, bird, etc. that soon the animals would be frantic for their safe return.

Over the next few days, rescue workers from local agencies escorted people through police barricades into damaged buildings to be reunited with their companion animals, or took keys to enter apartments to retrieve frightened and hungry pets. As a result, few animals died in relation to the attacks, and families who were already reeling in shock were spared that additional grief.

Most Americans were probably unaware of efforts to save the animal victims of the World Trade Center attack, but few natural or manmade disasters in this country have been without animal victims. More than half the families in America have pets. When disaster strikes, the safety and lives of those animals are threatened. Rescue doesn't always come in time, so it is vital that those of us who share our lives with companion animals plan for their safety during evacuations, when sheltering at home, or even when we are not available ourselves.

Don't be fooled into thinking that you won't be a victim of a disaster. There is no place in this country, or any other for that matter, that is immune. Hurricanes, floods, wildfires, winter storms, earthquakes, hazardous material spills, and now terrorist attacks are all possibilities, and the nightly news is filled with stories of people who thought it would never happen to them. Hope that it never happens to you, but with disaster plans for your entire family, including pets, you will be prepared if your luck doesn't hold out.

If you evacuate, take your pets with you. I grew up in Florida with its annual threat of hurricanes. The refrain at that time was, if an evacuation was ordered, the humans got in the car and went to a safe shelter, while dogs, cats, or other pets were locked in the bathroom with three days of food and water where they could be safe. Of course, it never occurred to us to consider what was so magical about our bathrooms that they would protect our animals when they were not safe for...