States, counties prepare disaster plans for small creatures in harm's way
PITTSBURGH Animal advocates are pressing states and localities to include pets and livestock in plans for when hurricanes, tornadoes or other emergencies hit. More than three (m) million animals were killed in North Carolina when Hurricane Floyd came ashore in 1999. Since then, many states have been thinking about emergency preparedness for animals.
One animal advocate says because many shelters don't take pets, people sometimes will not leave their homes. Or, she says, they evacuate, then go back and get their companions.
Now some states are developing evacuation centers that accept pets. Other governments are starting programs to educate people on what to do with their animals in case of an emergency.
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