HOUSTON – During Hurricane Harvey, some people did not survive because they didn’t want to leave their pets behind.
The Red Cross and emergency managers want you to know that should not be a factor. They’re prepared to help.
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Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo pleaded with people living in areas where the water is still rising, assuring everyone the county will find a way to work it out for them.
“We have been making accommodations for people with pets,” Hidalgo said in a Thursday evacuation briefing. “Please call 911. Let us know what your issue is. First responders will come get you and we’ll figure out what to do in terms of the pet situation. A lot of these shelters take them as long as they’re crated, but we’ll figure it out.”
Here is the Red Cross policy on pets, taken straight from their website, and here is a list of eight Red Cross Shelters across counties:
What about pets?
If it’s not safe for you to stay home, it’s not safe for your pet either. When possible, Red Cross shelter workers will do all they can to accommodate domesticated pets comfortably, however, depending on the situation, pets may need to be housed in a different location with support from animal welfare groups. Pet shelters are intended to accommodate animals that live in your home, such as dogs and cats, as well as small birds, rodents, fish, amphibians, and reptiles in enclosures. Please bring your pet(s) with you and a shelter worker will help you when you arrive.
Service animals are always welcome in Red Cross emergency shelters and are not considered pets.
Montgomery County Shelters accepting people & pets
Calvary Baptist Church
816 N. Blair Ave
Cleveland
Lone Star Community Ctr
2500 Lone Star Pkwy
Montgomery
St. Simons and Jude
26777 Glen Loch Dr
The Woodlands
Montgomery County is working hand-in-hand with these locations and providing pet supplies & other assistance as needed.
