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Gary Hershorn / Reuters
The plight of this dog, being carried to safety in storm-ravaged Hoboken, N.J., hard hit by Superstorm Sandy, illustrates the importance of having legal protections in place to ensure that such an animal will be cared for in the event something unfortunate happens to its owner during a major calamity.
Superstorm Sandy packed a strong punch along the East Coast in late October, and many people who count a furry friend as part of their family had an added burden placed on their shoulders. As was the case with Gulf Coast residents seven years ago during Hurricane Katrina, many peoples had to scramble to find shelter and faced some tough decisions about whether they could take their cat or dog along with them. Once again, the importance of having an emergency plan for a pet became a stark reality.
Kim Bressant-Kibwe, the trusts and estates counsel for the ASPCA, said she believes that every pet owner should have both a disaster plan and an estate plan to safeguard a four-legged family member. That way, all your bases are covered, she explained, whether there’s an unforeseen event in your area or your pet outlives you and needs to be cared for by somebody else after your death. The ASPCA estimates that upward of 100,000 pets may be entering shelters annually due to their guardian dying or becoming unable to care for them.
When residents of the Northeast were told to evacuate from their homes before the arrival of superstorm Sandy, many had to leave their pets behind. Rescue teams have since saved thousands of pets, providing emotional reunions for people who feared they would never see their pets again.
“Oftentimes, it’s natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy that push people into action,” she said. “Storms like this could be what motivates people to update their will or draft one in the first place. We want people to consider making those same arrangements for their care of their pets, so they don’t end up homeless with no one to care for them.”
Approximately 62 percent of households in the United States have a pet. According to the ASPCA, between 5 million and 7 million of these animals wind up in shelters nationwide every year, and 3 million to 4 million end up being euthanized because workers aren’t able to find good homes for them. In fact, Bressant-Kibwe said, many pets are brought to shelters because their owners left no legal contingency plan for the period after the owner’s death. As she points out, a responsible parent appoints a legal guardian and tries to provide for a child’s care in the event that something unfortunate occurs down the road. Why wouldn’t you also plan for your dog or cat’s well-being?
But most people don’t do the legal legwork to protect their pet. Bressant-Kibwe believes that's because many estates and trusts lawyers don't think of pets as property (which they are under the eyes of the law) and therefore don’t raise the issue of pet guardianship and animal trusts with their clients when they’re discussing other estate planning issues.
With everything gone, Sandy survivors find comfort in pets
A recent independently administered ASPCA survey of 1,000 dog and cat owners found that only 17 percent of pet owners take the necessary legal steps to safeguard their animals’ futures. These steps include bequeathing their pet in their will to somebody, drafting a pet trust fund, or using another kind of legally enforceable document. Even among pet owners who already have a valid will (42 percent of cat or dog owners), only 18 percent have included their animal in it.
So what are the best ways to provide for your pet’s short-term and long-term safety?
1. Have an animal card and document
Professor Gerry Beyer of Texas Tech University School of Law, the co-author of “Fat Cats and Lucky Dogs: How To Leave Some of Your Estate To Your Pet,” recommends that every pet owner carry an “animal card” in his or her wallet with basic information, such as the pet’s name, type of animal, location, any special care instructions — and this is most important — the contact person who can gain access the animal in the event of an emergency. That way, if something happens to the owner, a doctor or police officer of some other responsible individual could determine that an animal is relying on you and can then request that the emergency contact on your “animal card” take care of your pet. Beyer also recommends keeping an “animal document” with your other estate planning materials containing the same information that’s on your animal card and any additional details you might like — so that someone can find your pet and contact your animal’s legal guardian as quickly as possible.
2. As a backup, put your pet in your will
Bequeathing your pet to somebody in your will is certainly a good backstop, and is always better than having nothing in place to safeguard the animal. However, Bressant-Kibwe reminds people that wills do get contested over matters that may have nothing to do with your pet provision. In those cases, the will can be held up in probate, and the property in the estate — which includes Fluffy or Fido — can be left in limbo for months at a time.
“Anything and everything can happen,” she said. “Sometimes, someone will step forward to try to take care of your animal, but they don’t have the right, necessarily, and with no executor in charge, your pet can be left with no home and potentially wind up in a shelter.”
3. Consider a pet trust ... even if you aren’t a millionaire
Pet trusts were once associated only with celebrities like hotel queen Leona Helmsley who reportedly left a $12 million trust to her dog Trouble. But today, pet trust funds, which experts agree are the best way to protect your furry friend in the case of your death or disability, are moving into the mainstream. Owing to events like Katrina, 9/11, and now Superstorm Sandy, people are realizing the importance of providing continuous care for their pets. And a person doesn't have to be a millionaire to leave the appropriate funds in place to provide for a pet's daily life.
Jayne Welch, an attorney and director of production at Us Legal Forms, a site for do-it-yourself legal documents, says they’ve seen an increased demand for both their short- and long-form pet trusts, both of which cost under $25.
“Anyone who dearly loves their pet should consider one of these,” Welch said. “Especially senior citizens or single pet owners, or people who have a pet who needs lots of special care for some reason. It’s easy and inexpensive. You can save it to your computer and you’ll feel tremendous peace of mind.”
Water world: Photos of animals in flooded NY aquarium
Beyer explains that there are generally two types of pet trusts. First, there’s the traditional pet trust, which he says is recognized by all states, and preferred by many pet owners because it gives them the ability to have great control over their furry friend’s care. The traditional pet trust allows an owner to appoint a trustee to manage a designated amount of money for the pet, to specify a pet’s caregiver (the trust’s beneficiary), and to outline the type of care the animal will receive, the kinds of expenses the trustee will pay and what happens if the caregiver can no longer care for the animal. The other trust, a “statutory pet trust” is authorized in the majority of states, but doesn’t require or allow the pet owner to make as many decisions about the terms of the trust. It’s a more basic, bare-bones document, and state law fills the gaps, which might not give the owner as much peace of mind about how the pet will be cared for after the owner dies.
Of course, none of us look forward to planning for a worst-case scenario. But as Superstorm Sandy proved, our pets are relying on us to take care of them under any and all circumstances, in sickness and in health, even after death do us part.
Leave a Comment:
I have a great plan, DON'T HAVE PETS! People here in Florida risk their lives to stay with pets through deadly hurricanes because they can't evacuate them or stay anywhere because of them....just thinning the herd to me.
Um your plan does nothin to help anyone. If people didn't make pets apart of their family, the 3 million to 4 million animals euthanized each year would just increase to a staggering amount. First and foremost people need to take responsibility and spay/neuter their pets.
panhandletown..... - I hope you NEVER get a pet. Just thinning the herd? You sound completely cold and cruel. You don't deserve a pet.
not having pets would certainly eliminate this kind of worry. perhaps your mother could consider retroactive birth control to further reduce the societal burden?
What a stupid thing to say! Obviously you don't own a pet, never had a pet and are a cold hearted, nasty person. The love of a pet is very powerful thing and it's too bad you don't know this wonderful bond between a pet and a human. I actually kind of feel sorry for you....such a sad life you must live.
Panhandletown, Not have pets, my life would be empty without them. If my house caught on fire I would risk my life to save them, to do nothing would not be an option. People lose their lives for material stuff and why? But my pets are my family, my everything and my reason for living. They are not replaceable!!! Iwould never leave them behind.... never!
My pet is my FAMILY. I provide for my rescue cat. He is well cared for and will always be well cared for should he survive me. He is not an animal to us. He is part of our family and gives us joy. You have not lived until you experience the unconditional love of a cat or dog. I would never, ever, leave my pet behind.
So we have minimal shelters and those shelters should allow animals to skank up the place....nope...not my problem....you cannot stay, NEXT!
panhandletown, perhaps the group would decide that you should be the one to be cast out in order to save a dozen or so pets. certainly that would be value added.
NO ANIMALS....what if there are severely allergic HUMANS in there? Animal owners are oddly delusional about this stuff....just stay with your pets then....no proplemo and no emergency help!
panhandletown, what a sad, pathetic, non-empathic human you seem to be. hopefully you get regular professional help.
Panhandle, There are people who don't bath in those shelters and stink to hell. Why should we have to put up with such stinking odor from people like you?
Hey Norky...are you really this stupid and or dangerous? And direct again.....what a loser!
Leave my dogs behind-NO WAY IN H3LL. I committed to sheltering, providing for and protecting them from the second they were adopted. They are a part of the family as much as anyone else. The companionship they have provided me is immeasurable, especially while my husband is deployed in Afghanistan. I cannot imagine being without them and wouldn't think of leaving them to fend for themselves which is why they are ALWAYS included in any evacuation plan.
While I find panhandletown.....'s comments lewd and insensitive throughout this board, I do agree with him on one point: If you can't adequately plan, don't have pets. I feel for you if you did plan and the plan didn't work out, but if you had no plan and no backup plan to start with, then please just don't have pets. As enriching as they are, you have to be willing to accept that we are not in control of this planet and things will happen that are beyond the scope of our desires. Furthermore, that plan really shouldn't involve the federal or local officials. It's great if they allow for pet sanctuary, but that is an unpredictable variable and cannot be relied upon. If you are unable to evacuate, ensure you have a way to evacuate your pets so that you don't have to worry about whether or not emergency staff can take them and whether or not they will find appropriate shelter. To not plan is to play with fire, and you have no one but yourself to blame when you get burned.
Give Panhandler a break. He is a little bitter. The last hurricane that came thru his area his parents were given a choice of taking the dog or him to a safe shelter and they chose the dog (Good choice on their part)
Jeff-I don't blame panhandlers parents one iota for making that choice. What an absolutely miserable human being she is.
You all can castrate panhandler all you want, but his/her points do have validity. If you can't take care of your own needs then you can't take care of the needs of a pet. Anyone who can't live without a dog is not living anyway!
I'm actually extremely correct here....thanks Pluto.
Of course you can live without dogs, but it's proven that people who have dogs are less stressed, live longer, are more physically active, happier and are more social. That's why all my friends are dog people and I wouldn't have it any other way. And I don't care what your opinions are!!
Panhandler.... I couldn't help but reply to your post.. When I read this I was distraught by the fact that there are people out there who would risk their's and their families lives to save a stupid animal. Someone made a comment about why would people do the same for material possessions? Gee idk, maybe a family heirloom that is hundreds of years old is far more valuble than a completely REPLACEABLE animal that will die in a decade anyway.. Maybe once these people have lost everything they might want to sell/trade some of their material possessions so that they can buy useful things such as food or other ammenities.. Animals have no souls, though neither do we, no dogs go to heaven (like the movie says). Get your heads out of you asses people, if you think your pet's life is irreplaceable, I'd say it's safe to assume that your's isn't..
Just for the record I own a cat and a dog. I would throw both of them into the fire if it somehow meant saving my children's lives. PEOPLE FIRST!!
@Kbrown
....And no one cares what your opinions are!!!
You are the kind of selfish people that get other people killed. You risk your life to save your pet, then "Oh no, now I can't get out of my burning house." Now a firefighter must to risk his life to save you (most could care less about your dumb animal) then he dies saving you because you were too dumb to save yourself..
We are Becoming-Nope, sorry that's not true. I work extremely hard to make sure myself, my family and pets are provided for and I plan ahead. I will be the last person to put someone else's life in danger for the sake of myself or my pets. My life, my decisions. I will be forever indebted to my doberman that most likely saved my life when an intruder entered my home while alone. I alone am responsible for myself and those that I love. Including my dumb animals.
Furthermore, you've a H#LL of some nerve calling me selfish when you value objects more than that of a living, breathing being. Hope your dusty antique dolls and dishes keep you warm at night.
That was nice of your dog to save your life. Really it is. I unrightfully attacked you, and for that I must apologize. You do seem like a level headed person and not one of the "others" on here. I have my dog for the same reason, he's my intuder-detctor and my gun is my intruder-destroyer.
Just for the record, my family heirlooms do not include dolls or dishes, nor do I value any of them more than the life of a person. There are however civil war muskets, bayonets, family portraits so old they HAD to be painted (circa 1690), geneology of our family and even documents such as birth certificates and letters written by family while they were crossing the pond coming from Europe. Things that I can show my children so they can have an understanding of the strong men and women who made our family what it is today.
Again I should not have attacked you personally and I also apologize for the name calling.
I do appreciate and accept your apology. Heirlooms of that nature should be in a vault or safe of some sort, I hope that you have them protected from disaster. I apologize for insinuating your heirlooms were merely antique dolls and dishes. Truce
Panhandle: You're terrifically outnumbered here, and owe us an apology for wasting our time with your incredibly hard-hearted and really stupid comments.
Truce. *shakes hand*
They are VERY well protected and thank you! Also I'd like to thank your husband for his service. If I weren't a single dad I'd be fighting right along side him.
"WE ARE NOW BECOMING": My family came from England to North America in 1591.... To say I have some serious heirlooms seems an understatement.... You might try "loaning" your items to an historical society or museum. They will often manage the care and cover insurance on your items and "loan" them back to you for your use....
In all these years, there are wonderful heirlooms in the form of stories about our dogs. One dog was left in Virginia and managed to track down the family, after getting himself across the Mississippi River.... My house is full of dogs and cats and since the kids are long gone and having their own lives, I find myself becoming the man, my dogs and cats ( a few birds too) believe I am....
Bad things happen( I was in New Orleans when Katrina visited) but I left behind what historical things that were in the house.... I don't keep documents of importance but left some Audubon paintings. It would have been a sad thing to loose them but the room in the car was for living creatures.... My house is in the French Quarter so nothing was lost.... but I have my priorities. Then too, Washington, Jefferson, Monroe, Lee,Madison and many other names of U S history are my family and the world probably knows more than it needs to know about all of them.... so it's easy to choose my priorities...
We are now becoming Gods, First of all I never said humans weren't first and of course you save your kids first.. who wouldn't. FYI, I once had a conversation with a fire fighter who wouldn't go into a burning house to get a pet and I totally understand that, no problem. But I told him not to stop me from going to try to get them out. I would rather die trying than to live with the guilt that I did nothing!I also told him not to risk his life to save the stuff in my home, heirloom or not. Because his life is much more valuable than any heirlooms I have. It is after all just material stuff and what really means more than anything to me is family, friends, my pets and memories, none of which is replaceable.
wow!!! do we really need to have this conversation when there are so many PEOPLE living on the street, and even more now that Sandy has doneits damage.
Don't we have enough pet shelters, even more than we have people shelters....If I have to choose life it will be my life, my families life....
I understand that having storm plans for pets reduces theamount of pets left on the street but what happens to the people shelters after a storm...
We have donated enough money to redcross and other non profits such that they could purchase a building (ru and maintain it) in every major city to temporarily house PEOPLE....and if necessary their pets....
may be we should be looking at the BIG PICTURE....
People don't get euthanized simply because they are homeless.
...and unfortunately not enough people are getting spayed or neutered
frankie-1003 - Clearly we DO need to have this conversation. It is a huge issue.
Also, please don't ever get a pet. You lack the care and compassion.
or euthanized...
lots of kooks out today.....
Panhandle, look in the mirror, you are the biggest kook of all. Actually more like a monster as you have no compassion, no empathy, no heart and you are mean and nasty!
Pet kooks are the worst kooks of all....they feel that they are "helping" animals..a lady I knew had 40 dogs in her house...in cages and she would fight to the death that she was helping them.....she got fired for smelling her work station up, lost all the animals and got arrested.....she was just a dog killer....nothing more....I have empathy for humans....
thats an animal hoarder moron. You think every animal owner is like that? You seriously have a double digit IQ.
@Frankie.. Apparently we do need to have this conversation because there are more people that care about animals than people.. @!$%#in wack jobs.
How can anyone say that panhandler has no empathy and is a mean and nasty person? You don't know this person.. Who dafuq are you to make assumptions about people who you have never met? They're such a terrible person to care more about humans than a worthless cat or dog.. Damn you panhandler for not having the same beliefs as other people who have internet access.
Some people already have a plan for their pets in the wake of such disasters, but they are few..and who can blame them? In mid-America we have tornadoes. Sometimes there is absoluely nothing one can do for their pets depending upon the number, type of animals,etc. For the most part I find this intrusive and foolish to discuss another control issue for animals in a disaster scenario. We should be talking about human beings safety measures predominately and not domestic animals. Our priorities and logic as a society are pitiable.
M K Estes - I would pity a society that didn't give a rats a$$ about their animals more than people who show concern for them any day. Your opinion about recommendations for protecting animals being intrusive is pitiable.
MK Estes, You are cold and heartless! Apparently you have no compassion or empathy for Gods other creatures. Why is it that only humans matter??? Apparently you think that animals don't have emotions or feel pain and that they are materialistic objects instead of living breathing beings. You are pathetic!
I agree with MK....this is not MY PROBLEM it is your problem and solve it or stay behind.
Uhmmm who said anything about euthanasia....there are clearly to many people who house to many pets during non-disaster times and we don't findout about them until the disaster comes.....
My 1 dog is in mine and my wifes will to go to one our siblings who is more than capable to handle the addition to the family..I am talking bout the people who tax dollars are wasted on becasue they have animals every where....
If MK, panhandle and a dog were in need of rescue from storm surge and I had a choice of which one to save... all I can say is I hope MK and panhandle can tread water til the next boat comes along
Therein lies the problem and makes panhandle's point exactly.
Yes....humans...always humans. This earth is for humans only.
And whose problem is the pet problem? Why on earth should humans be competing with dogs during an emergency? Why should anyone but dog owners be preparing for and paying for dog rescue? Enough, the whole dog thing and dog importance thing is out of control prior to and after the disaster. Priorities and not dog fanatics should determine policy. Your dog is your problem not ours.
Stan, I don't have children so should I just stop giving to St. Judes Children Research because it is not my problem?
and stan if you find yourself completely disabled don't you dare apply for social security. i paid into that system and i don't want you touching any of that money--ever.
Stan - I don't know you. You are not my responsibility or my problem so I hope none of my tax dollars EVER go towards any services you need or use.
Hey Stan, If we both lived way out in the country, miles from anywhere and you lost your home and I didn't well that would be your problem. I have lots of pets and I certainly wouldn't kick them out so I could give a cold hearted person like you shelter. I have always found people who have pets to be more compassionate and caring. You comment proves me right.
Why should I pay to house kids when I don't have any. Is every child the sole responsibility of their parents? No...I'm expected to care as a member of society.
@accountant;
You should care about and want to protect every child, as they will continue our society.. I can't remember the last time I saw a cat or a dog run for city counselman or congress, work at the gas station that you so heavily depend upon, stock food on the shelves of you local grocery store. See where this is going? Animals DO NOT contribute to our society, in fact they take away from it because we spend so much time, money and energy trying to decide what the best course of action is for them in a natural disaster. And who says first world problems aren't problems. Oh that's right the starving Ethiopian children who would LOVE to have some tasty dog roasting over their fires.
@ we have become stupid
most cats and dogs would probably do a better job than the city councilmen/congressional idiots that we elect. certainly more qualified in the white house. and i pump my own gas so i really don't need someone working at the gas station.
Animals don't contribute to society? Guard dogs, ADA companion animals, drug sniffing canines, police horses, rescue dogs who comb through rubble after an earthquake, sheep herding dogs,....to name a few.
i'd venture to guess you care about the Ethiopian children from your comment. i don't. And i would question what they contribute to society.
What's so hard about taking your dog or cat with wou when you evacuate? Would you leave your rug rat behind?
James, a lot of shelters won't allow pets. That's what the controversy is all about. Provisions should be made ahead of time. Either for your pets alone, or for your whole family to go somewhere else in case of disaster.
Im 25, in NY and I have 3 dogs and right now they are my children. Luckily i have surrounded myself with fellow dog owners and lovers who are very willing to help or give shelter in a time of need. I am a responsible owner.
I recommend that you aquire a life.
going to relinquish yours?
har har har Dorkrect....what a pathetic loser you are.
From the several nasty posts here, thoughtful disaster preparations apparently don't include the family pet. In reality, families, especially those with children, often consider their pets to be up on a par with their human counterparts. So do single older people. The animals occupy a special place in all their hearts, so it's natural to want to include or provide for them in the even of a disaster or unforeseen death of the caregiver(s). Getting up on your high horse to instantly criticize or polarize an issue doesn't do a thing for our country. Why not try reaching out to help or at least empathize with folks who are hurting from any undeserved loss, including that of a beloved pet? I am so sick of the divisive, negative, anti-social behaviors exhibited (and expressed on these boards) by so many people in this country! If you ever get a chance to travel, please do so, and visit places where our freedoms, resources, and options are just a dim dream for the population in those countries. Try being part of the solution, not part of the problem, PLEASE!
Very well said. The article didn't say anything about leaving people, it's saying that pet owners should have a plan. Obviously the people who are being negative don't have pets. My dogs are a part of our family. Would I risk my child's life to save my pet, no, but would I try and save them. Yes I would!!!
Mairsey, Bravo and thank you for your wonderful post! They are really good people in this world and you are one of them.
Just be glad you don't live in China because they have little regard for dogs. It may end up on your dinner plate and that is no joke. To all the haters, get a life okay and if you can't control yourselves perhaps a hobby might help you out or go smoke or drink yourself into oblivion. Frankly I think that when somebody regardless of how many legs they have, if you consider them a family member they are welcome to come along and make the necessary arrangements.
Before the storm Gov. Christie said pets can come to the shelters. Why people left their pets is beyond me.
He is now a LIEberal.
Wow! I sure to hell hope Panhandletown, Frankie, MK Estes, Stan aren't pet owners. I'd hate to be their dog or cat...I guess their pets are SOL. I guess they'd be like George Constanza in that one episode of Seinfeld where the fire breaks out in the kitchen, George screams "FIRE!!!" and knocks down the kids and the old lady as he cowardly tries to make his escape. All kidding aside, if people are going to domesticate animals and keep them as pets, then they need to take responsibility for them - whether there is a natural disaster or someone passes away. What's so hard about planning ahead a little? I have children and dogs and we have plans in place for both...
I loved that episode!
people who choose to stay and die or totally burden a emergency system by surviving a storm after staying THEN demanding help for their pets.....sorry charlie we see it in Florida and guess what those people get left to fend for themselves.... THINNING DA HERD!
Panhandle, Do you ever think that maybe just maybe there are some people out there that have no way of evacuating during an emergency? Maybe someone doesn't have a phone or electricity or maybe someone at home is bedridden and they feel they have no where to go. Granted most people can evacuate but there will always be some who can't for various reason. Again you are coldhearted!
Those people we help, but leave their pet behind....you are pathetic and these people have Obama phones so that arguement is weak.
OMG I should have known, a repug who cares nothing about anyone else but himself. I'd rather fend for myself than be rescued by you who would only take everything I have including the clothes on my back and then proceed to tell me that you are giving it all to the rich because only the rich are worthy. And you would probably do it with one of your guns pointed at my head! Pathetic!
I work for a hospital and we just went through accreditation surveys. The surveryors discussed having a disaster preparations for employees who own pets as well. He stated that first responders dedicate their time and efforts to ensuring the hospital is running as it should during and after the disaster. Because of this, we should also ensure the first responder's family AND pets are safe and secure. He even went as far as to state that shelter should be provided for these pets on the hospital campus if need be. He advises that doing so will help first responders give their all during the time of the disaster and will ensure that there is no future animosity from that first responder due to the fact that their pet(s) died while they were working to help other's in their time of need. I think it is a great plan and should not reduce the provisions we already have for people, only add to them.
That is awesome!!! Pets enrich our lives and help children and adults learn to love. My grandson loves my bassett hound. He lays on him and gives him kisses and is learning how to be gentle. Pets teach us alot.
This is a heartwarming post. Thank you for sharing:)
@Lori-
letting a child kiss a dog... Hopefully no where near its mouth. Dogs carry worms and other parasites, no matter how often you de-worm them. Do you kiss you dogs too? If yes, does your butthole ever itch? Those are called pin worms. Have fun!!
dogs are like children......this is just plain creepy....GET A LIFE!
Wow you negative people are what is making this country go to hell!!! No wonder people don't care about anyone but themselves. I hope you don't have pets.
Not negative, realistic and not delusional like you.
not negative. just a$$hole.
DIErect cannot handle the truth....what a sack muncher you are....sad sad loser.
Actually you are more than an @!$%#, you are sick! You probably are one of those people who go and kill animals for the fun of it. From your comment about kids I wonder if you don't target them too. You are the type to kill a persons seeing eye dog before you would rescue it. Again, you are a coldhearted pathetic monster!
Norky...you know nothing about me and I am offended that as a so called adult you cannot handle a basic discussion here....you need to seek professional hekp and I'm reporting you for projecting death and violence here....what a sicko!!!
Panhandle...are you really Michael Vick disguising himself?
Abandoned pets. Lack of utilities. Shortage of gasoline. Housing shortages. Did not anybody on the Least Coast pay any attention when New Orleans went through Katrina or the Texas coast went through Ike. Valuable lessons about preparedness and response were taught and learned. Apparently the Christies and the Coumo's thought they were bullet proof and it could never happen to them.
There are still hurricane victims in Louisiana, Missippippi and Texas that are displaced, living in temporary housing, and have lost their businesses. The Sandy victims should be ready for a long and painful recovery process. And remember, the most frightening words that you will hear is "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help."
humans first, pets second....and yes I have pets, and they are just that pets, animals I take care of. Would it make me sad, certainly, but are they a part of the family, no.
wow. if you are able to say that your animals need to be rescued from you. they deserve as much if not more consideration than the two legged resource burdens you bring into the world.
Brian, ingore direct1 because they are an idiot. I'm amazed at the crazy pet people that would give money to pet funds instead of helping their own species out first. It's asinine behavior.
And direct1, there is NOTHING more resource burdening than a pet. At least a kid can add to the economy eventually. All a pet does is eat food that could have been processed into something that the homeless could have dined on. Thankfully thre are some people in this country that don't need the empty reinforcement to our egos that pets provide to people like you...
tim, you could actually process your excess children for the homeless to eat. try reading Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal.
So, in other words, you have no response to my comment about pets being resource hoards. How nice. Silence is acceptance, and obviously you can't come up with a counter argument of any real validity. Let history show direct1's failure as total and complete...
By the way, A Modest Proposal is a piece of satire, as was the idea of the Irish eating their young. That you would even think of pointing it out as a discussion point in this thread is further proof of the disconnect that pets owners have from reality...
I didn't suffer greatly because of Sandy.....but I had a fire in my modest home ten days ago.....I called 911 and they told me to get out and take the cats if I could.....I did get them all out and put them in my car, even though I had crates for each of them....I was scared and decided to protect them, I would put them in my car......When I went to check on them, one of them got out, a foster shelter cat I had for five years....she was frightened, as always, and got out the car door even though I was careful opeing it....that was almost two weeks ago and I haven't seen her since.....we have many predators and the weather has turned very cold, even a few inches of snow a few days ago, so I have to accept she is gone....Of the cats I have, she is the most afraid, abused in the past, and when I last saw her run to the backyard, I knew in my heart she wouldn't be coming back....
Marian, Check around your home, she may be very close nearby. Animals do have a tendency to come back to where there is food and shelter. Call her name softly and listen carefully for her cry. Check every day and check other peoples property if you can as she may have also taken up shelter in someone shed or under their deck. Call local shelters and vet hospitals everyday and give them a detailed description of her. Chances are great she will come home, don't give up! Good luck!
Visit the shelter, too! Sometimes you can't rely on just a description.
Ask your local cat rescue if they could put out a Trap-Neuter-Return trap near your house.
Marian,
Put a litter box... WITH waste from your other cats...outside near where you saw her last. Cats gravitate to what they know. She will pick up that scent and come to it. If she's a scairdy cat she's probably keeping herself very well hidden & it would be impossible to find her just by looking.
I HAVE AN OFFICIAL PET PLAN...we all should have them and lots of them.....soooooo when times get tough you just take a page out of Obama's book!!!!! YOU EAT THE PETS!!!!! this would solve several issues......both short and long term. The really smart peeps would have several of the pot belly pigs!!!!!! I'm now with you guys!
What's wrong panhandle? Pissed your candidate didn't win?? Too bad, what a sore loser you are. Can't take it huh! Just like Rush, Hannity, Trump and all those other losers who are just crying that their pal Mitt is such a rotten loser. Your way of life, rich and toting guns is not what the majority of Americans want. But hell you need the guns to steal from the middle class and poor. You sound like the next Hitler of America and ought to be shot for treason! LOL!
Crawl back under your rock, please. Your guy lost, get over it.
So glad we don't have a president who thinks it's okay to strap a dog to the roof of the car for a road trip.
Leaving my pet behind in a storm would be like leaving a family member behind. It would not happen. If you think allowing your pet to drown or wander the streets cold hungry and wet is OK -then please don't EVER get one.
Dear Friends:
How about a notification center during emergencies of dogs or pets left?
How about sending some of these abandoned and rescued pets to other parts of the USA where it is warmer?
Trusts? Wills? Who has money for this sort of thing? If people didn't get pets until they had enough money to lawyer up & write a will for the pet and make a trust for the pet, only the 1 percent would get to have pets.
Now it makes sense to have a plan with a family member or friend in case of emergency, but making all of this legal is way beyond the reach of your average person/family.
most people with pets can't even care for themselves let alone achild or an animal.
I think in the article is says a pet trust is $25.
That's because those people spend their money on material stuff from big corporations who support wealthy people. They have TV's, cell phones, laptops, ipads and all that technical sh-t yet are cold and heartless like you and don't think of their pet. Their priorities in life is making the rich richer instead of looking out for themselves and for the pets that they are responsible for. Only stupid people want to make the rich even richer!
and now we get to the root of the problem......Norks a communist!
iknewit!
i hate to agree with you panhandletown but that sure is what it sounds like.
What, direct1, no useless satircal book to quote from about Norsk's comments? How pathetically disappointing...
I hope we can tax the wealthy so that we can help the people with 5795375894753 pets who cant even care for themselves let alone an animal save them all at any cost during a storm.
We need to work on the PEOPLE plan until it works MUCH better..Eh? FEMA!
I am part of a small non profit rescue group in coastal Texas (Galveston County). We do mobile adoptions and are associated with both Petco and Petfinder. We made plans and provisions to house the 30 plus cats in our foster care during major events such as hurricanes and tropical storms. Our group did this out of our own pockets and had a plan in place for shltering in place. Hurricane Katrina a federal mandate was issued that ordered that all evacuation policies for government entities must include pets and in the event of where FEMA pays for temporary housing, pets are included in the cost. During the historice evacuation of Houston prior to Hurricane Rita thousands of animals were dumped on the side of the road and left to die or fend for themselves. It took us from 2005 through 2007 to find homes for the ones we rescued and then in 2008 we had the same thing over again with Hurricane Ike and still have animals in our care.
Responsible pet owners will have a plan for evacuation that covers human and animal family members. People had notice of the Sandy event for 6 days and did nothing and their irresponsibility has lead to both human and animal suffering for no reason other than laziness.
"irresponsibility has lead to both human and animal suffering for no reason other than laziness!!!!!!"
THANK YOU!
my PET PLAN B
Get a new pet when the pet you left behind washes away.
Panhandletown
That is the same plan your parents have for YOU......panhandletown plan B
Jeff, you pet owners have an amazing disconnect from the real world. It's pathetic, really...
Estate planning for pets? Nearly 50% of Americans don't have an estate plan for themselves. The concern, when thinking about a Sandy-type disaster, should be on saving human lives and providing for your family should anything happen to you. This article is ridiculous.
I'm pretty sure the article was talking to responsible pet owners.
TRUE STORY
Hurricane heading for the coast of Florida and my X wants to come and stay with me....I said yes, of course...her, my kids and her boyfriend were welcome....hell her mother was even invited.....then the bomb dropped....she wanted to bring 4 dogs, 12 cats, 2 rabbits and a mouse.....needless to say I went and got my kids and the rest stayed....NOT MY PROBLEM!
not hard to see why you have an X. why didn't you stay on the coast with the hurricane and allow the animals your space in the house? it would've been a win-win for society.
Now I see why you have this resentment towards pets. Somehow they came between you and your Ex when you were married.
My thought exactly, damn a bunch of animals.
good lord, she became an animal horder when she left.....funny thing it got me the kids back....she chose the animals over the kids....just.like.you.idiots!
I would choose animals over disgusting, bratty, snot nosed loud kids any day of the week.
Direct1, do you count the sheep you've screwed as Xs