To Allow Pets in Shelters...When Mother Nature Strikes...

To: Governor Jeb Bush
PL 05 The Capitol
400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001

RE: To allow pets in shelters...when Mother Nature strikes...

Due to all the significant disasters that Mother Nature has bought us in the past few months, the residents of Florida and other States would like and demand as citizens, protection for our pets.
Many people have died or have been in incredible danger because they refuse to evacuate in mandatory evacuation zones due to not wanting to leave their pets alone. This occurred during hurricane Charlie and Frances.
A law should be passed and approved that in a state of emergency all hotels, motels, churches, hospitals and shelters should allow pets.
With careful planning and organization this can be accomplished.
Shelters should be divided into groups, the ones that accept dogs and the ones that accept cats and other animals, and some for people that have no pets.

Or each shelter should be divided in sections and have a room for cats and one for dogs.

Since cats do well in their crates, they can stay in their crates during their stay at the shelter. Cat owners should provide the cat with a carrier at least twice the size of the pet. In other words cat carriers should be large enough that the animal could move comfortably (sit and stand), and also be able to fit a small litter box in it.
All dogs should be on a leash or harness at all times during their stay at the shelter, such leash or harness will not come off the pet at anytime nor for any reason.
In addition, dogs would have to wear a muzzle, during their entire stay at the shelter, such muzzle should only be removed at feeding times.
Current rabies tags and routine vaccination certificates are a must and should be presented for both, dogs and cats.
Each owner will be responsible for bringing their own carrier, leashes, litter boxes, food, bottle water, medications and anything else the animal may need, as well as picking up after their pet.
Each owner will be responsible for his or her animal, if the animal bites or scratches somebody it will be the sole responsibility of the owner.
In order to get this accomplish each owner will sign a form excluding the shelter, the State or any other organization involved of any liability.
There are many older citizens in Florida that all they have in their lives is the companionship of their pets, not letting their pet into a shelter when they are in danger, is basically signing their death sentence.
These people under no circumstances whatsoever are going to leave their pets behind. Their pets are a part of whom they are and the reason for them living, it is all they have in this world and as citizens they have the right to go to a shelter with their love ones, their pets.
Not only that, any pet lover will not leave their pet behind regardless of their age period.
If pets are allowed in hospitals so they can heal and comfort sick people, We feel they can be extremely important in this case as well, since people or scared, confused, frustrated and out of their homes.
People have enough stress as it is thinking that perhaps they are going to loose everything they have, we dont need to added to that stress. Meaning that people should not be thinking on top of all that is going on, that their pet may be gone as well.
Shelters and rescue efforts are endless everyday to save animals, in cases like this, we are all coming together not only to help people and their pets, but also to help those thousands of animals lost and injured in hurricanes situations.
If this law is approved and pass, this will also alleviate the big problem that shelters encounter after disasters like these, pets running loose hungry and scare everywhere on the streets, overcrowded shelters with injured animals and desperate owners looking for their pets.
This can't wait, this needs to be change here and now, this law needs to be approved yesterday.
Please make a difference and make it happen. Thank you.