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City Assisted Pet Evacuation - FAQ's
The below Frequently Asked
Questions are regarding the evacuation of pets should the
City-Assisted Evacuation process be called for New Orleans. This
does NOT apply to Jefferson Parish. If you live in a parish
outside of Orleans, please check with your local OEP
or animal control agency to determine their plans for city
assisted evacuation.
People should make their own personal plans and
use the City-assisted process ONLY if they have no other
option.
What types of animals will be evacuated?
Animals considered household pets will be evacuated. By federal law,
this includes dogs, cats, rodents, birds and reptiles such as
turtles. Livestock, food production animals, and horses are not
allowed. Any animal which poses a danger to staff, volunteers or
evacuees due to aggression, size, or venomousness, or any animal
which cannot be safely transported or properly cared for at the
receiving shelter, may be turned away at the discretion of the Pet
Evacuation Team. Where possible, you will be told before boarding
the bus to the Processing Center whether your pet will be evacuated.
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What happens to my pet and me during CAEP?
You will be registered with your pet during this process so the two
of you are linked by ID number. You will board a bus for an
evacuation shelter and your pet will be loaded onto a separate
vehicle, unless your animal is under 15lbs, in which case your
animal may stay on your lap. Every effort will be made to unite your
pet with you at your shelter location, but there may be
circumstances when your pet is housed at a different shelter due to
limited shelter space. We can track what location you and your pet
go to by the barcodes you wear.
If you have been designated as needing medical resources or other
requiring access to a special needs shelter, you will not be able to
shelter with your pet for health reasons, but your pet will be
reunited with you once the evacuation has ended. Your animals will
travel to a special shelter where it will be cared for in your
absence. If you have been triaged to go to a special needs shelter
but wish to stay with your pet, please tell a Pet Evacuation Team
member during registration. Top
What do I do if I don’t have a
crate or leash
for my pet?
All pets must be safely secured in a travel crate, pillowcase, or be
on a leash/collar before leaving your pickup point. If you do not
have this equipment, crates will be loaned to you for the
evacuation. A staff member or volunteer will provide these to you to
put on your pet.
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My animal is afraid to travel and won’t get
in a crate. Will someone assist me?
Trained staff and volunteers will be available to assist you if you
have trouble, but you alone are responsible for securing your
animal.
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What does the registration process require?
You will be asked to register your information and your pet’s
information before evacuating. A staff member or volunteer will take
your information and assign you and your pet an ID number that will
allow state officials to track where everyone in your family is
going, including your pet. There is a separate intake form for your
pet which may be used, time-allowing. You will receive a copy of
this form and must keep it with you at all times.
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How do I get my pet back?
You and your pet must keep your ID tags on at all
times. It is the primary way we can prove you own the animals. If you
lose your ID, it will be more difficult for you to be matched up with
your pet later on.
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What type of questions will I be asked?
The city will ask you information about the name of the pet and
species. Additional information that might be collected locally or
at the receiving shelter includes gender (sex) of your pet,
markings, such as color, scars, tattoos, that they may have, if they
have had vaccines or have contagious diseases, and if they’re
aggressive.
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I couldn’t catch my pet or my
pet got loose and I had to leave it behind. What do I do?
If you had to leave a pet behind, be prepared to provide as much
information as you can about your pet, when and where you last saw
it, and any other information that would help someone locate your
pet. You may need to identify your animal later at a rescue shelter,
and this information will help shelter personnel reunite you with
your pet. You should also bring the animal’s vaccination records,
proof of purchase, and photo of the pet to prove ownership.
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Who is legally responsible if my
pet gets loose or is injured?
The owner assumes all responsibility by using CAEP. The City and its
partners cannot be held liable for animals which escape, or which
are injured during transit/sheltering when they are separated from
you. All care will be taken to handle your pet humanely.
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Will a vet care for my pet if
needed?
Veterinary care will be available at receiving shelters, but minimal
care is available for evacuation. If your animal is in distress when
you arrive to evacuate, you may be advised to bring your pet to a
vet and not to evacuate it. If your pet has a pre-existing
condition, make sure you’ve included his/her medications and medical
records so the vet knows what’s wrong.
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Do pets and people stay together
at the shelters?
Once you get to the shelter, you will be housed in one building, and
your pet in a nearby building. You are responsible for feeding,
watering and walking your pet twice daily during your stay at the
shelter. If you do not care for your animal, it will be considered
abandoned and removed from the shelter. If your pet arrives at a
shelter different from your own, someone will be assigned to care
for it.
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Can anyone in my family visit
our pet?
Only adults 18 years or older may visit or care for your pet. No
children under 18 can care for your pet unless accompanied by an
adult. This is for the safety of your family, your pet and our
staff. If you are an emancipated minor with a pet, you will be
allowed to care for it.
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What if my pet and I become
separated?
Your ID number and your pet’s are tracked in a computer database
operated by the Department of Social Security. If you and your pet
become separated, call the City’s information hotline at 311. They
will make every effort to track your pet to its receiving shelter.
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How do we get home again?
After the evacuation, you and your pet will return the same way you
evacuated, using State-provided transportation. You can claim your
pet once you are dropped off. If you choose to leave the shelter at
any time, you may sign out your animal and find your own transport
home.
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Will the LA/SPCA evacuate my pet for me if I give
them a donation? No.
We evacuate our shelter for a Category 3 or higher and transfer ownership of
most animals to our shelter partners in Texas. Our essential
personnel and volunteers are assigned to help the city while
simultaneously preparing our own facility for the storm.
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If I
require city-assisted evacuation (e.g. I
don’t have my own transportation) and my pet cannot be
accommodated, what should I do?
Recommended options:
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Reach out to neighbors, family, and friends and ask them to
transport your pet for you.
Last
resort:
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Shelter your pet at home.
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Be sure to leave adequate water supply that your pet can
easily reach and not tip over.
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Allow your pet to freely roam the house; do not kennel or
close off rooms. Those animals left behind during Katrina
who had full access to the house were more likely to
survive. Animals who did not have access to other areas had
a significantly higher death rate.
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When you register at the Processing Center tell them you
left a pet behind and leave your address with registrar. Top
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