What will you do in the event of a disaster like a hurricane?
Coastal Cat Clinic does not provide boarding during hurricanes, snow storms or other times of disaster. Our staff lives far from the clinic and may not be able to reliably care for pets during times like this.
ASPCA article on disaster preparedness
This link will help you find pet-friendly shelters all over the USA.
Jacksonville has a pet-friendly shelter at the Jacksonville Commons Middle School but you must stay with your pet while there. You can’t drop them off and leave.
Pet Disaster Preparedness for Renters and Homeowners (this is another resource from US Insurance Agents, very complete)
The following is reprinted from a pamphlet provided by Onslow County Animal Response Team:
The best way to protect your family from the effects of a disaster is to have a disaster plan. If you are a pet owner, that plan must include your pets – their lives depend on you.
If you must evacuate your home in the event of an emergency, the most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to TAKE THEM WITH YOU.
Thousands of pets were killed or injured when they were left behind during Hurricane Floyd.
Make advance emergency plans for your pet. Ask a friend or relative if they will care for your animal, or make arrangements with one of the local boarding kennels listed in this brochure. There is also a list of local area motels which will accept pets in an emergency – call them to make arrangements to stay there if you can. Some have limits as to the size of animal accepted and may require a deposit.
Make sure your pet has some form of permanent identification such as a microchip or tattoo to ensure that it can be returned to you if it gets lost and carry a current photograph of your pet with you.
AREA BOARDING KENNELS:
Animal House; 665 Bell Fork Rd, Jacksonville (910)353-2684
Bar-B’s Pampered Pooch – Pet Motel; 405 Center St, Jacksonville (910)577-7297
Castle Dog Boarding; 845 Parkertown Rd, Hubert (910)326-6738
Town & Country Pet Center, Inc; 850 Bell Fork Rd, Jacksonville (910)455-5331
AREA MOTELS WHICH ACCEPT PETS IN EMERGENCIES:
Best-Rest Inn; 455-2063
Hampton Inn; 347-6500
Innkeeper; 938-0800
Jacksonville Comfort Suites; 346-8900
Keene’s Motor Lodge; 324-4104
Microtel Inn & Suites; 455-4142
Sunset Inn; 347-3311
Super 8 Motel; 455-6888
Triangle Motor Inn; 455-4923
Travelers Inn; 347-1948
Cape Carteret Parkerton Inn; (252)393-9000
Pollocksville Trent Motel; (252)224-6311
Keep a “Pet Emergency Kit” ready. We expect hurricanes in this area, but other emergencies such as forest fires or hazardous waste spills can also force people to leave their homes.
Your kit should include:
- two weeks worth of pet’s medication
pet’s medical and vaccination records - leash
- collar with identification tag
- water
- food
- bowls
- bedding
- litter/pan
EMERGENCY PET SHELTER AT JACKSONVILLE COMMONS:
There will be an emergency pet shelter co-located with the Red Cross shelter at Jacksonville Commons Middle School in the event of a disaster this year. This is a result of the efforts of the volunteers of the County Animal Response Team (C.A.R.T.) with the cooperation of the Onslow County Board of Education, Animal Control, Cooperative Extension Service, and Emergency Management.
Dogs, cats and caged birds which are accompanied by their owners staying in the shelter will be accepted. No other types of animals will be accepted. Only individuals who have checked in to stay at the emergency shelter themselves will be allowed to bring pets. Pets will be housed in an area separate from humans, but owners are expected to provide care (feeding and exercising) for their own pets. C.A.R.T. volunteers will provide overnight for the emergency pet shelter and will provide care for pets of the elderly and disabled.
Bring the following items with your pet to the emergency shelter:
- crate for dogs & cats; cages for birds
- pet food (enough for 72 hours) and bowls
- pet’s medication
- pet’s vaccination records
- collar with ID tag and leash
If you and your pet cannot stay with friends or family or utilize one of the pet-friendly hotels or boarding kennels listed in this brochure, the Onslow County Animal Response Team encourages you to seek shelter at the Red Cross shelter located at Jacksonville Commons Middle School.
Wherever you go, take your pets with you – they depend on you for their safety!
For more information on the Onslow County animal Response Team (C.A.R.T.) and how you can help, please contact:
Melissa Huffman, Agricultural Extension Agent, Melissa_Huffman (at) ncsu.edu
Dino Einsig, Onslow County Animal Control Director, Dino_Einsig (at) co.onslow.nc.us