Dooks All ~!~! Having been an emergency responder - I would like to give my thought on the rescue / shelter of animals in a disaster. I have been in the situation where I had to evacuate people and tell them thier animals could not come to the shelter - they had to be left behind. I remember many people crying wondering if they would ever see thier pets again. Several others stood defiant saying, "If they can't go - then I won't either". I would like to see a joint shelter area for people and thier pets - something in close proximity. Human and animal are registered in together (best way to get the animals info is from the owner). Human goes one way to be checked by the medical personnel and get assigned a cot. Animal goes to be checked by the vet and checked into a cage or carrier. Once they get situated, the owner can come visit his pet. Give them time to be togther, hold each other, maybe even cry together. This bond may aid in the psychological healing process. Owner is told it is thier responsibility to help care for the animal (outside of medical care). To walk them, play with them, feed them and clean up after them. After all, the owner should know the animals temperament better than a stranger. And we know that some animals will be depressed if thier owner is not around. Plus it helps free up volunteers to deal with animals without owners. Encourage the owner to assist at the animal shelter area. Moving supplies, cleaning, helping care for the other animals. This would help the person to feel useful and productive. It gives them something to do. Otherwise they may feel helpless, a victim. Helplessness is a terrible feeling. I've been there. There was a major fire in my town that threatened my home. I was an auxiliary police officer and the communications coordinator. My supervisors relieved me of duty because it was my home. They thought they were doing the right thing. Yet I felt helpless - there was nothing to do but watch everything go up in flames. I was trained to act and now I could do nothing. I would like to see the human / animal bond preserved as much as possible in disasters such as Katrina. That animal may be the persons only family, only friend, may well be the only thing they have left in the world. I believe it would help in the grieving process and the recovery process. I know that if I were faced with a disaster, I would like to have my animals to hold . . or at least to know they were safe. I'd be curious to hear from some of the animal rescue groups if this has ever been attempted and what the results were. Warm Fuzzies ~!~! Kevin B & The Way Kewl Kritter Crew [log in to unmask] Pacific Ferret Shelter Network VP http://www.FERRETNET.ORG [Posted in FML issue 4994]