Hurricane Irene: St. Hubert's Takes in Evacuee Pets - Patch.com
St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center has been busy Saturday preparing for Hurricane Irene by making last-minute arrangements to secure all pets in the shelter and prepare the premises.
Nora Parker, the shelter's vice president, said that although both locations—one in Madison and one in North Branch—will be inconvenienced by the hurricane, the staff is "relatively certain" that the pets at these shelters will be safe. She said this is especially the case at the Madison location, which is on slightly higher ground.
As a result, St. Hubert's has been taking in pets from other at-risk shelters.
Earlier in the afternoon, the shelter in Madison received a shipment of animals from Liberty Humane Society in Jersey City that will be spending the weekend.
"[Liberty Humana Society is] coastal and low-lying, so they got out ahead of this at the beginning of the week and made an evacuation plan and reached out to other shelters," Parker said. "We were happy to welcome some of their animals here for the weekend."
She said their shelters—especially in North Branch—might need to take in some evacuee pets from some inland areas, such as Bound Brook, that are more prone to flooding.
"We've already taken in one pet from an elderly resident who was urged to evacuate early and needed to go to a shelter without a provision for her pet," Parker said. "We have taken in that pet until she can return home."
She said they have dealt with large intakes of evacuee pets before, from Louisiana and other locations that have suffered disaster, and that the staff is accustomed to preparing for extra animals.
To prepare, extra caging has been set up, staff members are staying overnight in case others need to be called in and many volunteers have agreed to take in pets for the weekend in a foster situation.
"It gives those animals a break from the shelter to go home with a family for the weekend and frees up a little space for us to help," Parker said.
Additionally, a large number of local residents—both from Madison and surrounding towns—have been coming to the shelter to adopt pets.
In fact, Parker said, a few cats had being taken home earlier in the afternoon.
Tips for Pets During the Storm
To make sure local residents prepare themselves and their pets for the hurricane, Parker suggested that people do much of the same things they would do for themselves, including making sure adequate food and water are available.
She said owners should move animals out of lower levels, such as basements, that might be prone to flooding.
Lastly, pet owners should remain calm.
"Enjoy some indoor games and special treats with your pets," she said. "Keep them near you so they, too, will be comfortable during the weather."
Preparing Pets for Evacuation
Although Parker said evacuation will probably not be necessary for local residents, St. Hubert's has posted on its website a list of evacuation items for people to pack for their pets, including:
- Copies of vaccination records for each animal, as well as an extra set of copies for owners to keep in their own bags
- Photos of the animals with the owner's contact information and an emergency contact number of a friend or relative attached in the case of separation
- Enough fresh water to last three to five days
- Supply of food to which the pet is accustomed
- Portable or disposable bowls
- Copies of prescriptions for any medications the pets take
- Spare collar and leash
- Temporary ID tag that can be filled in to match the owner's evacuation location
- A familiar blanket or bedding and a favorite toy or two for comfort
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