Pets and Evacuation: An Ongoing Challenge in Disasters

Farmer Ashley K. (), DeYoung Sarah E. and Wachtendorf Tricia
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Farmer Ashley K.: Illinois State University – Department of Criminal Justice Sciences, Normal, IL, USA
DeYoung Sarah E.: University of Georgia – Department of Health Policy and Management, Institute for Disaster Management, Athens, GA, USA
Wachtendorf Tricia: University of Delaware – Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, Disaster Research Center, Newark, DE, USA

Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, 2016, vol. 13, issue 4, 13

Abstract: Pet ownership may continue to be an impediment to evacuation and sheltering for disasters, despite the passage of the 2006 PETS Act. Many Americans consider pets to be a part of the family, and are hesitant to follow evacuate orders if they cannot bring household pets along. We present findings of qualitative data collected from residents in eastern North Carolina, an area that is susceptible to hurricane storm surge flooding, and other severe weather events. Additionally, analysis of hazard mitigation plans for the state of North Carolina and the four areas in which the data were collected reveal that the state level plan includes significant planning for pets, while the local hazard plans do not dedicate plans to address evacuation and sheltering of companion animals. Implications for future research include clear communication about pet friendly shelters, broader inclusion and protection of vulnerable animals that are tied to the human and environmental well-being, and updating local mitigation plans to include specific plans for including animals in evacuation.

Keywords: evacuation; pets and disasters; sheltering (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1515/jhsem-2016-0051

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