Peace of mind for pet owners

Officials in hurricane-prone states have known for years that many people would rather risk riding out a storm in an unsafe home than leave their beloved pets behind. But it wasn't until the horror of Hurricane Katrina that emergency planners recognized the depth of the problem and decided to stop forcing people to make an emotionally difficult choice during an especially stressful time.

In 2006, Congress passed legislation requiring localities to designate special pet-friendly shelters in order to continue qualifying for FEMA grants. The idea was modeled on efforts already underway in communities in Florida and a few other states that set aside areas inside existing shelters for cats, dogs and other animals.

As The Pilot's Janie Bryant recently reported, Portsmouth and Suffolk have now established pet-friendly shelters. Portsmouth's former Cradock High School on George Washington Highway and Suffolk's Nansemond River High School will welcome pets when the need arises.

Norfolk, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach are still working on their plans. Officials there should move forward quickly. Fortunately, this year's hurricane season has left Hampton Roads largely unscathed, but the season doesn't end until Nov. 30.

In days prior to Hurricane Katrina, many residents told emergency planners that they wouldn't leave the city or head to a shelter without their pets. It ended up being a deadly decision for some of those folks. And many who did choose to leave their pets behind never saw them again.

Tax-conscious skeptics may question the wisdom of going to extra lengths to accommodate pet owners in an emergency. But the reality is that the majority of American pet owners - 61 percent, according to one Zogby International poll - said they would refuse to evacuate their homes without their animals.

A wise choice? No.

But it's a false choice, and it always has been. Many communities have demonstrated it's possible to shelter people - and their pets - from storms. It's good to see Hampton Roads cities are beginning to do the same.