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Guidelines for Mandatory Emergency Evacuation Pet Shelter
Jul 27, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Ria Brown, Animal Services Public Information Specialist, Paul Filla, Emergency Management Information Resources Manager, PRESS CONFERENCE: Lee County Mandatory Emergency Evacuation Pet Shelter (MEEPS) Announces Guidelines Fort Myers, Florida, 5/27/07 – Governor Charlie Crist has declared July 31, 2007 as Florida Animal Disaster Preparedness Day. Floridians are requested to observe the day by taking steps to protect animals in their care during a disaster. One of the best preparations for your pet is a nationally registered microchip ID. As Floridians incorporate their pets into their disaster plans, Lee County is also updating its plans for pets in emergency situations. Details will be discussed at a 3:00 pm Press Conference Monday, July 30th at the Lee County Emergency Operations Center. The first Lee County Mandatory Emergency Evacuation Pet Shelter (MEEPS) for dogs and cats only will be located at South Fort Myers High School. As the acronym implies, the shelter will be available only to persons and residents under evacuation orders that are unable to seek alternative shelter. Residents must make their own emergency plans that includes arrangements for evacuation and sheltering of family and pets. Options for hotels/motels that accept pets are available at www.PetsWelcome.com. Pet owners should also check with friends and relatives outside the affected areas where the hurricane is predicted to hit. "This is a great safety net in the event of an emergency, but people need to make plans to evacuate their animals – not rely upon a shelter," states Lee County Animal Services Director, Scott Trebatoski. "MEEPS must be the last option for the pet owner. It's not a place I would plan to take my dogs, but if for some reason I got stuck and could not execute my personal emergency plan I'm glad to know that MEEPS is there." Officials note that since the space is not made to house pets and that pets with unknown medical conditions/histories will be housed in close proximity, these shelters are not an ideal location for a family pet during an emergency situation. Pet owners should be aware that there are risks whenever multiple pets are housed in close quarters. The most serious is the spread of disease. Vaccinations have to be administered in advance of disease exposure to provide protection. Check with your veterinarian about which vaccines are recommended for your pet and when they should be given to best protect your pet. Unfortunately even with the best precautions and care, pets in these MEEPS may be exposed to parasites, bacteria, viruses and other communicable conditions. The increased stress of the mass housing and disaster conditions may further compromise a pet's immune system and reduce the ability to fight off the exposure. MEEPS will be operated similar to people shelters and as such, registrations will not be taken. Pet owners are required to stay at the shelter but will be housed in separate areas. Upon admission, one family member will be assigned the task of tending to the pet at pre-assigned times. Pets must be removed when the shelter is officially closed. Additionally, pet owners must bring all of their own supplies including the following. Pet food More information regarding hurricane preparedness for pets and MEEPS facilities is available at www.leelostpets.com. For recorded information call (239) 344 - 4424.
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