One of the biggest misconceptions is that owners should leave their pets behind. Animal advocates suggest having an emergency plan for boarding the animals. Kennels and veterinarian offices, or pet-friendly hotels that are not in evacuation zones are good places to start. The Florida Animal Disaster Planning Advisory Committee, formed after Andrew, went into action during Hurricane Opal in 1995 and the February tornadoes in central Florida. It holds training sessions three times each year for communities.
Nobody can run around and rescue all of the animals.
King, Prince, Little Prince, Sheba, Champ, Duke and Ears were delivered to Mrs. Higman after their owner's home was destroyed. The owner pays for their care and vaccines and Mrs. Higman said she will continue to board them until the owner is financially ready to take them back. During Andrew, Mrs. Higman said there were 140 dogs in her kennel, in addition to a duck someone dropped off as its owner fled Key West. American Red Cross shelters are not an option for pet owners, nor are there any plans for changes in that policy. Someone may not love your pet iguana as much as you do.