WOULD YOU LEAVE YOUR PET BEHIND?
The images coming out of the Gulf Coast are absolutely devastating; the suffering of the people cannot even be imagined and yet they go on with life hoping and dreaming of the life they once lived. Like most Americans, I made my donations and helped raise lots of money for many different Animal Rescue and Relief organizations; but I could not fathom the decision most storm victims had to make: leaving home without their pets. I was watching many of the news anchors making statements about the fact that people come first and should be forced to leave their homes with or without their beloved pets. All of them prefaced their statements by saying that they had pets and loved them -- but they are still animals and human life comes first. By the way, is that written anywhere?
Having been in the world of pets professionally for over 30 years, I can honestly say that the majority of the pet owners that I speak to each month (approximately 10 million) consider their pets as part of the family, not just the family pet, and would no sooner leave them behind than any other family member. I am aware that many of the people out there may think that I’m a little eccentric when it comes to my beliefs, but I would not leave my pets behind. What I would have done is made previous arrangements for the care of my pets with family members or friends.
So, my fellow Pet Bloggers -- What would you do, would you evacuate without your pets?
Our pets depend on us, and leaving them behind would be the ultimate betrayal because in their hearts they know that you would always come for them and I, for one, could not betray that trust.
There are many Pet organizations asking for donations to help with the rescue and care of the pets that are lost or have no homes, and I urge you to donate -- just check them out to make sure your money is really going directly to the pets in need.
16 Comments:
Assuming there was sufficient warning that an evacuation was underway, there is no possibility that I would leave my furry family memebers behind. However, if something happened that was immediate, and the choice had to be made between human family members and furry ones, I would have to say the furry family would be the second choice.
That being said, I have made every effort to ensure that, should some disaster occur that required an immediate evacuation of our residence, I would not be forced into making that choice. A little preparedness can go a long way in a catastrophy. I would urge everyone to have a disaster plan ready that includes their pets. After all, our animals would never abandon us, so how could we abandon them?
Just as a quick adendum, my disaster plan has 8 tins of catfood in the trunks of both family cars, as well as harnesses and leashes in each glovebox. The cat carriers are in the closet at the front door, and we store the kitty litter there as well, so it is within easy reach should we need to evacuate (Despite this making it a little more difficult to change the litter, which is in the other side of the house.). Finally, along with the bottled water in the porch area, I have included 2 dual dish plastic pet trays. We have run a practice evac, and managed to get everyone (With pets) out of the house and into one car within 5 minutes.
I would never leave my dogs behind no matter what the circumstances. The pain would be unbearable. I would chose to die with them rather than live without them.
Hi Warren and fellow bloggers!
I write you all the time about animal issues and called you a couple of months ago about Tuxedo's vaccine associated sarcoma (he's doing very well at the moment)Thanks to your audience for all the prayers :)
I can't believe there are not more people commenting on this! We must get angry and change the policy on pets during emergencies. The current petition only addresses this disaster. We must do what we can for future emergencies.
This issue has inspired me to blog. You are my 1st blog :)
I would not leave my furry children Felix and Tuxedo behind in an emergency. I am afraid I would rather stay behind than evacuate without them. I have done more than my share of screaming at the TV reports and crying everytime I had to watch someone leave behind their faithful companion. All these people probably have left in the world may be their pet. How dare someone take that away from them!!!!! Right after the flooding hit New Orleans I had emailed a contact I have made at the HSUS in Sacramento (having a personal contact at HSUS will probably not surprise you) I know he has gone out with the DART team before and I was asking if he was going to the South. He thought he was leaving that weekend, not sure where. I asked if he had seen any progress regarding evacuations of pets with their people and if some shelters have been allowing pets in the past. He said during the last hurricane disaster in Florida he felt that some progress had been made. He said that they are trying to make government officials, the Red Cross and other similar oranizations aware that many more lives could be saved if people were allowed to evacuate with thier pets. Also, we have all heard the medical reports how pets help us deal with stressful situations. So I believe emergency medics would have less emotionally distressed victims to deal with if they were allowed to take and keep their pets with them. Think of all the time, money and person power that would not be needed to rescue pets and try to find their original owners if they evacuated pets with their people. I agree with what you said last Sat. If dogs are good enough to rescue people, our pets are good enough to be rescued with us. Didn't Noah think so???? We the animal community must keep this issue, and anger alive so that we don't have to go through watching pets being left behind or ripped out of peoples arms and tossed aside before boarding buses. It could be us next time if we don't do something about the mindset of people first then maybe later, if they are still alive, pets. Everyone needs to keep the momentum going on this. Write your government officials! Start more petitions! Do something!
I too can not imagine looking at the confusion on my furry childrens faces as I packed up and left without them (going on vacation is hard enough)at a streesful time as this to make it more stressful by making people make a choice is not fair. Under reg circumstances you could be arrested for abondonment why is this differant????? Laws must be passed to protect our pets..They are truly a part of our families. Warren please keep us posted on how to help
I could never leave behind my pet. I always tell my husband: I'd grab him and the cat before I grabbed our marriage licence or pictures. Knowing you left them behind... I wouldn't be able to deal with that. Your pet is a member of your family. I never believed how extreme that feeling could be until as an adult, I adopted my own pet - it's our child!
Hi again,
A followup regarding the HSUS attempts to rescue Katrina pets. Copied from the HSUS website:
"On Wednesday, one of our Disaster Animal Response Teams in New Orleans rescued a St. Bernard from a rooftop – a dog they described as the most emaciated animal they had ever seen in all their years of handling animals. The veterinarian who treated the dog was shocked that the animal, who weighed just 40 pounds, was still alive.
Who helped us rescue this animal? It was several National Guardsmen, who heeded our rescuers’ pleas to take them through the water on a tank so they could get up on the roof to save the dog.
But the troops’ actions were not ordered by the National Guard – nor by the White House, the Defense Department, the Department of Homeland Security, or the state of Louisiana. In fact, despite our repeated requests, none of these entities has formally agreed to marshal their ground forces to help rescue the pets and other animals slowly starving to death in the affected areas.
At a press conference just a few hours ago, I implored the federal government to come up with the nation's first animal rescue plan. Now, I am writing to ask you to give them the same message: Please call or email President Bush and other officials today and urge them to help us before it’s too late.
Time is running out for these animals. Every hour that passes means more pets, locked behind closed doors in the disaster zone, will die of starvation. Our teams are working as hard as they can to reach as many pets as they can - and as we reported to you on Wednesday, we’ve rescued thousands. But there are thousands more.
At this 11th hour, when so many lives are at stake, we are asking you to help. I urge you to contact these government officials today and ask them to help rescue animals before it is too late. Please click here to call or send an email to President Bush and other federal and state officials who have the power to order National Guardsmen and other responders to assist with food drops, help supply our own operations, and do whatever else it takes to save animals.
One of our rescuers said it best: “We should not have to rely on the compassionate instincts of individual Guardsmen to rescue these animals. We need the full commitment of the government.”
Members of Congress have also been calling on President Bush and the federal agencies to actively assist with direct animal rescue. With most of the human victims of the catastrophe removed from the city, it’s not too late to save animals’ lives. It’s time for the government to recognize the incredible bond between people and their pets, and step in to help."
Please go immediately to www.hsus.org and act now!
Thanks
NO PETS LEFT BEHIND PETITION:
http:www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/761232780
I have 5 hounds in my home 3 are fosters. Their is no way I would leave them behind, since my daughters are grown these hounds are my family.
If someone told me that I could be saved but the dogs could not, then I would have to make the choise to stay with my dogs.
All living creatures are a part of the whole of this earth. To say one life is worth more than another, one must be very careful. We as humans, often tend to believe, be it religious or just personal beliefs, that humans are superior. Yet we are all a part of the whole of nature, Ghandhi said, "We judge a nation, by the way it treats its animals." and we have failed miserably. To say "it is just an animal" demeans the life of another. The rescue should be for those that cannot help themselves, that don't have the ability to get to safety, and should be defined by that fact alone, which is inclusive of all living creatures, large and small.
I would never, ever, EVER leave my pet behind. I don't even like to leave them behind when I go to the grocery store. What good is living life knowing that I did such a horrible and selfish thing? I couldn't live with myself. If it were a matter of saving my life, but having to leave my pet behind, or dying, I would rather die knowing I remained loyal to the most loyal, loving creatures that I have been blessed to know.
When you bring a pet into your life you have made a 10-20 year commitment to care for that animal. Leaving an animal behind is not an option. I bought a truck so I could fit 5 pet carriers, food and supplies in case of an emergency. My cats and I would be calling that truck home for as long as it takes to re-establish a suitable residence.
I would never leave my "Maximus" behind. Big name for a little dog -- he's a Shih Tzu!!
I have six dogs and I love all of them the same I have no favorites..I always try to take them with me..And if I cant I'am always worried and miss them all dearly..I want my dogs to live for a long time I would never be able to get rid of any of my babies..Oh i consider my dogs part of my family..
I would never leave my three dogs behind.If unable to take them with me. I would stay behind with them and take my chances
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My pet carrier,food,and other supplies for him are ready and will be the first to go with us if needed,as well as a plan for long term care.
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