ABOUT THIS BLOG

In Field Notes, NBC News will shed light on the stories that don't always make the headlines as well as offering analysis on the big and small stories of the day.

Regular contributors include NBC News correspondents, producers and staff based in bureaus across the country and on assignment.

Click here to read more about the journalists behind this blog.



Fleeing with man's best friends

Posted: Sunday, August 31, 2008 1:09 PM
Filed Under:

By Janet Shamlian, NBC News correspondent

The lines were long outside the Port Arthur Civic Center as residents waited for a ride out of town. They were carrying kids and coolers, backpacks and boom boxes -- the necessities for a few days in a strange place.  For some that meant their pets. Evacuating and housing dogs and cats was an issue in the days ahead of and after Hurricane Katrina.  Man's best friend or favorite feline was frequently turned away from both transportation and temporary housing.    In many cases, loving owners had to leave their pets behind at a time when they needed them most. Some where never reunited.  

The man pictured here, alongside NBC producer Charles Hadlock, didn't pack much beyond his two dogs.  Because they were caged, he was hopeful he'd be allowed to take them along. He's about to start an unknown journey, not sure where he will end up tonight.. whether it will even be in Texas. A little frightening, unless you're making the trip with a few of your friends.

MAIN PAGE

Email this EMAIL THIS

Comments

it's about time the authorities understand that pets are just as important as the children. For many people, they ARE the children.

There, I said it.  Many of us feel that way, and to be made to leave our animals behind is cruelty.  People need their pets in times of chaos, and the pets need them.

By being allowed to bring their pets with them to shelters, etc., you avoid the dangerous situation of people trying to stay behind in dangerous situations to stay with, or to find their pets.

Tina, Whittier, CA (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 11:19 PM)

I completely understand the man pictured with his two dogs....I've stayed here just north of Beaumont, Texas
mostly because of my three dogs - Bandit, DQ and Buddy - one small, one medium, one large.  DQ has only been here six months (they're all rescues) and is recovering from the abuse he suffered when he was a puppy.  We live a very quiet life and I truly don't that any of us could successfully deal with the crowds and stress of evacuation.  Also, I'm alone and in a wheelchair....can't you just see me with two leashed dogs (100 & 65 lbs respectively), a pet carrier and a small suitcase with only the essentials and all my medications.  I hope the gentleman rides the evacuation and storm out and can soon get home - all three safe and sound.

Mari Wilson, Silsbee, TX (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 12:31 AM)

I have been fortunate to have a friend with a house built into a hill. Whenever we were threatened with tornadoes here in Central Texas, my dog and cat were welcome along with me at her house. Because my view is that I commited to taking care of my dog and cat and taught them to live a life where they do not roam free, I cannot, in good conscience, abandon them.
  It broke my heart when I saw what happened with Hurricane Katrina. I am grateful to the people who understood how wrong that was and did something to correct it.

SuzyQ_TX, Austin, Texas (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 6:00 PM)

I'm glad to see that, finally, the animals that we love and cherish, are being considered in times of emergency.  Those with the opinion that we "should be grateful for our own survival" (I hope they don't have pets) really don't understand that they ARE part and parcel of that survival!! Survival without them(especially due to callousness) is of little worth.  They can NOT be simply replaced by another.

ilove animals (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 11:10 PM)



SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.): 

 Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private)