Dear Hurricane Frances.... GO AWAY!

[gini]

This is the latest projection of Frances path.

Prayers for everyone and their babies that all will be safe.

[Logan]

The Bagley hotel is still open! SERIOUSLY!!!! We have 5 bedrooms, plus two couches and lots of places to pack people. I PM'd with Nicole (Delidog) this morning and I think she is headed our way, but was looking for pet friendly hotels. I have not heard back from her, although I encouraged her to come stay with us. The more the merrier. We're in the big outline that Gini posted, but we are not in the direct path of the hurricane. Greenville, for those of you who don't know, is in the NW corner of SC.

If you need anything, do not hesitate to send me a PM or email me.

Logan

[Logan]

Cross posting info from another site:

The predictions for an active hurricane season seem to be coming true
as yet another powerful hurricane named Frances is headed towards the
East Coast of Florida were we are located. With memories of Hurricane
Charley still very fresh in our minds and recovery and pet relief efforts
are still challenging the devastated areas of the west Coast of Florida
from the aftermath of Hurricane Charley only 2 weeks ago, it is only
hard for us to imagine what a second major hurricane would do if it
struck now on the east coast of Florida. Hurricane Frances is not projected
to hit land until sometime this weekend, ...so if you are in a target
zone, DO NOT wait until the last minute to evacuate !

Pets & Animals in Distress has put the below following Hurricane
Preparedness Guide below to all pet owners that could be in the direct path
of Hurricane Frances. Please follow the below tips in case of immediate
evacuation of you and your pets in those targeted regions.

The separation or loss of a pet can have a profound impact on a family!
We should make every effort to insure our pets are safe and with us. A
written disaster plan, particularly in households with pets can lessen
a disaster's impact and save lives!

Advanced planning is essential and could save your pet(s) life and the
best recommended plan is to take your pet with you when and if you have
to evacuate. REMEMBER- Public Shelters Do Not Allow Pets!

All facilities in a disaster area may be subject to some degree of
damage or flooding. If you are thinking of boarding your pet, consider the
difficulties of providing a healthy environment without electricity,
running water, plus limited supplies and personnel!

To all Florida residents, please take these Hurricane precautions and
evacuation warnings very seriously as we have seen the destruction first
hand in the aftermath of Hurricane Charley. Please say a prayer for
all of us and the animals that may be harms way in another impending
powerful Hurricane that is now heading directly our way to hit the south
Florida east coast.

We ourselves now are the ones directly in the path and in harms way of
this major Hurricane in Palm Beach county, Florida, watching and
monitoring Frances hourly approach very closely getting prepared to evacuate
ourselves and animals. Please keep us and all the animals in your
prayers! God Bless.

Sincerely,

Brenda Beck, President

A Public Service Hurricane Bulletin from Pets & Animals in Distress


Hurricane Frances Preparedness For You and Your Pet

Sites that will keep you updated with the latest Hurricane information:

http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/...256927&u=59809

http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/...256927&u=59810

http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/...256927&u=59811

Hurricane winds do a lot of damage, but drowning is the greatest cause
of hurricane deaths. As the storm approaches and moves across the
coastline, it brings huge waves and storm tides which may reach 25 feet or
more above normal. The rise may come rapidly, flooding coastal lowlands.
Waves and currents erode beaches and barrier islands, undermine
waterfront structures, and wash out highway and railroad beds. The torrential
rains that accompany the hurricane produce sudden flooding as the storm
moves inland. As its winds diminish, rainfall floods constitute the
hurricane's greatest threat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROTECT YOUR PET

Evacuate out of the area of the storm! Visit friends or relatives who
will let your pets come with you. Create a list of boarding kennels
within a 100 mile radius of your home. If you don't have friends or
relatives to evacuate to, call these pet friendly hotels and make a
reservation.

Best Western Inns 1-800-528-1234

Clarion Hotels 1-800-252-7466

Comfort Inns 1-800-228-5150

Days Inn 1-800-329-7466

Econo Lodge 1-800-553-2666

Holiday Inn 1-800-465-4329

Howard Johnson 1-800-465-4329

La Quinta Inn 1-800-531-5900

Masters Econo Inns 1-800-633-3434

Motel 6 1-800-466-8356

Quality Inn 1-800-228-5151

Ramada Inn 1-800-228-2828

Red Roof Inn 1-800-843-7663

Residence Inn 1-800-331-3131

Roadway Inn 1-800-228-2000

Sleep Hotels 1-800-753-3746

Super 8 Motels 1-800-800-8000

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR PETS

EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST

SKY KENNEL/CRATE

LEASH, COLLAR, ID TAG, HARNESS

FOOD AND WATER BOWLS

HEALTH RECORDS (RABIES CERTIFICATE)

PHOTO OF PET

NEWSPAPER (DOG);

LITTER BOX/LITTER (CAT)

3 BATH TOWELS

GARBAGE BAGS

WATER (DOG: 1 GAL/10 POUNDS; CAT: GAL)

DRY FOOD (1-2 POUNDS OF FOOD /10 POUNDS)

MEDICATIONS


PETS AND HURRICANES


Why Pet Owners Must Plan

Public shelters for people will not accept pets.

If you wait until the last minute to evacuate, you may have no choice
but to go to a public shelter.

If such a situation should force you to leave pets behind, please
prepare your children and other family members for the fact that their pets
may not survive or may be irretrievably lost before you are able or
permitted to return to your home.

There is no way to know how long it will be before you are permitted
back after the storm. Frightened animals quickly slip out open doors,
broken windows or other damaged areas of your home opened by the storm.

Lost pets are likely to die from exposure, starvation, predators,
contaminated food and water and on the road where they can endanger others.

Even normally friendly animals of different species should not be
allowed together unattended since the stress of the storm may cause distinct
behavior changes.

REMEMBER: If you must evacuate . . . then conditions are not only
unsafe for you but unsafe for other living creatures as well!!!

Develop Your Written Plan Now

A written DISASTER PLAN will help you and your pets survive.

Identify your evacuation area and level to determine if and when you
would have to evacuate.

If you are located in a storm surge flood plain, the decision to
evacuate will depend on the category of the storm.
Always prepare for one category higher than the one being forecast. A
hurricane often increases in strength just before making landfall.

Your goal should be to evacuate to a safe location.

Friends or relatives in a safe area are your best choice.

If they are unable to house both you and your pets, arrange shelter for
your pets at a veterinarian or kennel close to your evacuation location
so that you will be able to have as much contact with them as possible.
You and your pets will fare better if you are together.

If you plan to go to a motel, determine in advance whether pets are
welcome and what, if any, special rules are applicable.


Make plans well in advance of the hurricane season for cows, horses,
sheep, etc.

Additional preparedness guidelines may be obtained from Town of
Hempstead Animal Control , or the Nassau County Chapter of the Red Cross.

If You Must Evacuate Leave Early !

An unnecessary trip is far better than waiting too long to leave
safely!

All animals should have secure carriers or collapsible cages for large
dogs, as well as collars, leashes, rabies tags and owner ID tags.

Carriers should be large enough for the animals to stand comfortably
and turn around. ID must be on the carrier.

Train your pets to become familiar with their carriers ahead of time.
Then the carrier will be a secure and comforting refuge if the animal is
required to live in it for days-even weeks-after the storm.

Before hurricane season begins on June 1 of each year, make sure all
your pets have current immunizations and take these records with you if
you must evacuate. Photograph each of your pets prior to June 1 every
year and include these pictures with your pets' immunization records.

Your pet survival kit should include ample food (at least 2 weeks
supply), water/food bowls, medications, specific care instructions,
newspapers and plastic trash bags for handling waste, cat litter, brushes,
combs and other hygiene items, toys and other comfort items, muzzles if
necessary.

A manual can opener is a necessity.

All belongings should be marked with identification.

If you are not evacuating your pets to a commercial animal facility,
you should also include first aid supplies for your pets in the survival
kit.

Ask your vet for an emergency care pamphlet for animals.

If you plan to shelter your pets at a kennel or clinic, call before
evacuating to determine if space is available. Some kennels will accept
reservations early with prepaid fees.

Allow sufficient time to travel from the kennel to your evacuation
location after making certain that your animals are secure.

If you have snakes or other exotic pets, contact local pet stores or
zoological gardens, in a safe area, for assistance in sheltering your
pet.

Again, be prepared to supply appropriate housing for the pet (not
glass) and other supplies necessary to sustain the pet for at least 2 weeks.

The facility you choose should be operated by knowledgeable, capable
staff and the location should be high, dry and of sturdy construction.

Throughout the evacuation and the storm, your pets will need
reassurance from you. Remain calm, keep as close to their normal routine as
possible and speak to them regularly in a calm, reassuring voice.

If you must evacuate without time to prepare your pet, Animal Control
will house your pet. This space is limited and should be ONLY a last
resort.

If You Can Stay At Home

It is just as important to adequately plan for your pets even if you
don't have to evacuate.

Carriers, collars with proper ID and leashes should be maintained for
your pets at all times. Your pets will be most comfortable and secure in
their carriers in a safe area of your home until the storm has passed.

If they are not secured during the storm and your house is damaged,
your pets may escape and become disoriented, since normal landmarks and
scent trails could be obliterated.

If your pets become lost, proper ID will ensure their return to you.

Place your pet food and medications in watertight containers in a cool,
dry, dark place. Store adequate water for your pet.

Your water source may become contaminated. (To purify water, add 2
drops of household bleach per quart of water, mix, seal tightly, let stand
for 30 minutes before drinking.)

If you bring plants into the home before a storm, be careful not to
allow pets access to them since many ornamental plants are poisonous

After The Storm

Walk your pets on a leash until they become reoriented to their home.

CAUTION: Downed power lines and other debris pose real dangers to you
and your pets.

Do not allow pets to consume food or water which may have become
contaminated.

Be particularly careful in using candles or oil lamps around pets.
Never leave them unattended.

When you know you have done everything you can do to protect all
members of the family, disaster preparedness will give you tremendous peace
of mind.



Pets & Animals in Distress

1511 east Commercial Blvd
PMB #129
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33334
United States

[Cincy'sMom]

Originally posted by Logan
The Bagley hotel is still open! SERIOUSLY!!!! We have 5 bedrooms, plus two couches and lots of places to pack people. I PM'd with Nicole (Delidog) this morning and I think she is headed our way, but was looking for pet friendly hotels. I have not heard back from her, although I encouraged her to come stay with us. The more the merrier. We're in the big outline that Gini posted, but we are not in the direct path of the hurricane. Greenville, for those of you who don't know, is in the NW corner of SC.

If you need anything, do not hesitate to send me a PM or email me.

Logan

I'm glad to hear that she did PM you...she Pm'ed me this morning and it sounded like they were seriously considering changing plans and getting out. Please let us know if you hear from her.

[popcornbird]

Stay safe everyone. Logan, that is so kind of you to offer your home to people in danger.

[My Peanuts]

Kay, I've been thinking about you all day. I even looked up where your town is on a map. I hope everything is ok. It seems you are in the best place you could be.

[MULTICATMOM]

AND YOU GAVE ME AN IDEA! PLEASE, IF YOU CAN GET THERE, I'LL BE IN MOBILE, AL. I'LL GET A PET FRIENDLY ROOM I'M LEAVING MY PETS HERE! I WAS GOING TO GET A ROOM ANYWAY, WHEELCHAIR ISSUES... PLEASE PM ME!!! I'D LOVE TO MEET YOU & YOUR PETS!!! I'LL BE HERE(TN)UNTIL TOMORROW

[gini]

I just heard on the local news that Frances is the size of Texas and it may be the largest storm ever recorded in history.

God help all of those in Frances path.................

[Kfamr]

Val, I just PM'ed you.
If you check this first, please check your PM's. My mom said you, your parents, and Duke may come over here if you need to.

[Harmanie]

I'm praying for all of you southern people!!! {{{hugs}}} and lots of them! Be careful, if you think that you should leave then take all the safety percautions that you can! Stay safe! I'm praying!

[4 Dog Mother]

I just got back from the airport and have my husband back home safe and sound! I am so glad he had already planned on coming home this weekend anyway. He has no idea what he will go back to or when he will go back but the next few days will surely be interesting. (his ticket is for Tuesday but of course that depends on what happens this weekend). I am so glad he is out of harm's way and will be praying for all those who wouldn't be leaving!

[Cincy'sMom]

Originally posted by 4 Dog Mother
I just got back from the airport and have my husband back home safe and sound! I am so glad he had already planned on coming home this weekend anyway. He has no idea what he will go back to or when he will go back but the next few days will surely be interesting. (his ticket is for Tuesday but of course that depends on what happens this weekend). I am so glad he is out of harm's way and will be praying for all those who wouldn't be leaving!

You guys didn't make the news...they were just interviewing people on 24 people coming in to Toledo from Florida. Oh well

[4 Dog Mother]

Well, phooey, I missed my turn at stardom! We didn't see any reporters at the airport! I'm sure we would have been the ones picked if they had seen us first - lol!

[Pam]

4 Dog Mother I am so happy your hubby is home!! As I watched the coverage this morning, showing all of the evaculations and the size of this storm, I am so grateful that we live in an age where we can predict when these monsters are coming. I was just saying to hubby last night how horrible it must have been in the past to be taken by surprise by a hurricane. I have only lived through one biggie that I can remember that hit the mid-Atlantic states. It was Hazel back in the 50's and I was a very young child, but I have memories of being so afraid. I will be thinking of everyone in Florida and the surrounding areas constantly and wish you all safety and a minimum amount of damage. My nerves are on edge right along with yours.

[Cincy'sMom]

The news said the storm has weakened over night. They aren't expected it to stay that way, but pwas and fingers crossed they are wrong and ti continues to weaken!