Evacuations for Hurricanes Gustav vs. Katrina
    Different policies and attitudes should bring about different outcomes

    by Mike Fry

    Three years ago this weekend, hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast leaving massive devastation in its wake. But the physical damage caused by Katrina was nothing compared to the loss of lives. Countless people and pets perished during the hurricane. Still others lost their lives in the aftermath.

    During the evacuation for Katrina, guardians of animals were discouraged from evacuating their pets. Most humans being evacuated were forced to leaved their pets behind. Organizations like FEMA and the Red Cross offered no support or assistance to people with 4-legged family members.

    These facts, combined with a pervasive attitude that the worst was unlikely to occur, helped to amplify the overwhelming crisis that resulted in the largest rescue effort in American history. Some people simply refused to evacuate if they could not bring their pets. Others returned to the disaster area too soon, thereby putting themselves in harms way.

    If we could learn anything from Katrina it is that the rescue of people and animals are not separate efforts. Companion animals must be accounted for in all human rescue efforts.

    Between now and then, much has happened, most importantly, the PETS Act (Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act) was passed by congress in 2006, for the first time, providing standards that included the evacuation of companion animals in times of disaster. This marked a sea change in thinking about disaster preparedness.

    Now, exactly 3 years to the weekend after Katrina, we watch Gustav, another massive hurricane, barreling down on the Gulf Coast. There is much that seems the same: levees unsafe and widespread poverty, for example. However, watching the evacuations taking place, it is clear that some things have changed. Most importantly, there is now an urgent sense that people, organizations and government entities need to be better prepared for emergencies. And, they are. Additionally, large numbers of people began evacuating before evacuation orders were even issued. Animal welfare organizations in the target area are better prepared. Another very significant change is that people everywhere are being told to bring their companion animals with them while they evacuate. Specific instructions are being provided to animal guardians how to safely bring their pets on public transport. Additionally, specific accommodations are being made for these animals on public transport and at evacuation centers.

    At this point, it seems certain that Gustav will result in some wide-spread damage. However, national response teams, like Best Friends Rapid Response Team, are not currently planning deployment. We are hopeful that the lessons learned during Katrina will result in people and animals getting safely out of harms way. If a response is needed, Animal Ark will continue to provide updates as needed.
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    Comments from readers:
    On 09/01/2008 Rhonda V said: Gustav rescue

    It looks like Best Friends has been on the ground in New Orleans for a few days already. Check out www.bestfriends.org