Absolute Yorkies

We have to go don't we, mommy?

TODAY’S TIDBIT:  Our vitally important “Disaster Planning: Do It Now!”  series continues with Judy Wright of Rosehill Yorkies.  When a disaster is imminent, there are decisions you must make if you’re given enough time and it’s not a mandatory evacuation situation.  You have to decide if you’re going to stay or go.  I’ll cover both circumstances so you can have an idea of what important things you must consider in either of these critical situations.

Let’s GO!!!
You’ve decided to leave and you’re taking your pets with you.  Your emergency medical kit and your disaster kit are assembled and ready to grab and go!  But where are you going to go and how will you get there?  And where will you stay?  Keep in mind, emergency shelters usually don’t allow pets so you must make arrangements for them.  

Prepare Your Evacuation Route
Wherever you live you must consider your evacuation routes in all directions.  In Houston during an evacuation from a hurricane, areas that are susceptible to flooding from storm surge are all categorized.  Evacuations are staged with the most susceptible areas allowed out first, followed by the next most susceptible areas and so on.

We’re instructed to remain in place until the area we live in is told to leave. Each area has its own evacuation route that residents in that area must follow. This is designed to prevent total gridlock of the highways, as millions of residents rush to escape.  You must be aware of evacuation plans in your particular area.  Often times highways that normally have lanes going in both directions will be redirected and all traffic will flow away from the evacuation zone.

Find Pet Friendly Hotels and Motels
Once you’ve picked an escape route you must know how far you’re going to travel. NOW is the time to locate and select pet friendly hotels and motels at varying distances from your starting point along all your chosen evacuation routes.  

You can go online and get a great selection of pet friendly hotels all over the United States and Canada.  Write down the names of the motels and hotels you’ve selected along with their phone numbers and addresses.  I plan almost a week ahead which route I’ll be taking when I leave and will call and make reservations ahead of time so I’m certain I’ll have rooms reserved.

Boarding Your Pet
If staying in a motel is not an option, you must board your pet. Have the phone numbers and the requirements ready for each boarding facility you’ve selected.  Find out what their evacuation plans are!  Locate vet clinics that have boarding facilities.  Be sure your pet’s vaccinations are current.

Make Sure You Have Cash and Gas
Be sure you have a full tank of gas in the car and cash on hand.  In disasters, you are confronted with long lines at every gas station and grocery store you encounter.  Often, ATM machines run out of cash.  Have all this taken care of well in advance so you’re not part of the panic.

LEAVE When The Order Is Given!
When you’re instructed by your city leadership that it’s time to leave, LEAVE!!!  You’ll have everything ready to go – your evacuation plan is chosen as far as route and direction, your destination point is selected and your reservations have been made.  DO NOT CHALLENGE MOTHER NATURE TO SHOW YOU HOW TOUGH SHE IS! LOAD UP AND LEAVE!  Keep the safety of your family and your pets foremost in your mind and arrive alive! 

Next week, we’ll discuss what you need to do if you decide to stay!  Start preparing now everyone and see you on Friday for TODAY’S TIDBIT.