Pet owners have two shelter options available

Written for the 2008 News-Press Hurricane Guide

Pet owners forced to evacuate during the hurricane season won't be worrying as much about their pets this time around.

Two animal-friendly shelters are available for residents in south Fort Myers and east Lee. And, the American Red Cross of Lee County and local animal clinics are working to get the word out about what to do with your pets in an emergency.

"Two new shelters are being offered now because they have found that because of hurricane Katrina, a lot of people didn't want to evacuate because of their pets," said Kim Pontif, the hospital manager at the Coral Veterinary Clinic in south Fort Myers.

Her clinic is telling owners to get their pets prepared early by getting the proper vaccines and having their pets microchipped.

"We have a packet we dispense for our owners during the season to let them know what they need," Pontif said. "Most places require reservations ahead of time and the pet owner has to set that up."

Heidi Ruster of the American Red Cross chapter in Lee County said pet owners must prepare and do it early.

"The best bet is to get a vet outside the storm zone area especially since the animal shelters will be just for those mandatorily evacuated," Ruster said. "Otherwise, they can leave pets with a family member and try to make those decisions beforehand."

The two shelters will be set up at South Fort Myers High and East Lee County High. Each shelter will be split into two sides. One for humans and the other for animals.

"There are more options than there used to be but prepare, prepare, prepare and do it early," Ruster said.