Leaving Pets Behind
By Nona Morris
@nonersays (3329)
United States
September 10, 2017 9:10am CST
We decided to stay put as Hurricane Irma moves through Florida into Georgia. We live in coastal Ga and were going to evacuate until the storm started heading towards where we would have evacuated to. But we were ready do go. Me, hubby, kids and THE DOG.
Our neighbors seem to have left, and left two of their dogs in the yard. Plus a third dog that I've never seen before.
I keep seeing so many stories of animals left behind during Harvey, and now even more being left behind for Irma to swallow up.
Not left behind semi-safely in houses, or even left to run free and try to find their own shelter. People are leaving their pets behind, trapped in kennels and cages outside, or tied up to trees and poles. Leaving them behind, offered up like some kind of animal sacrifice to the Hurricane Gods.
I coudln't imagine running from a storm and leaving our dog behind. When we evacuated from Matthew it took us forever to find a place to stay, because we didn't stop til we found some place that would let us have our dogs.
What about you?
10 people like this
11 responses
@kobesbuddy (74820)
• East Tawas, Michigan
10 Sep 17
How could anyone leave their animals behind, knowing the devastation that's heading their way! Plus, no food, no fresh water? What ta heck is wrong with people's minds, anyway? They are heartless and stupid!
2 people like this
@nonersays (3329)
• United States
10 Sep 17
I wish I did know what was going on with people. Why they have to be so cruel and heartless. Maybe it is just pure stupidity. They know enough to run away themselves but think their left behind pets will magically be safe.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (74820)
• East Tawas, Michigan
10 Sep 17
@nonersays It is so stupid, as if those animals know where to go or what to do!:(
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (66918)
• United States
10 Sep 17
Its terrible seeing pets left behind. Shows what kind of peoplw they really are.
2 people like this
@nonersays (3329)
• United States
10 Sep 17
True. The way you treat the helpless really shows all of your true colors.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157675)
• United States
10 Sep 17
Princess the cat would go with us. Maybe even a stray or two if they showed up. I cannot imagine this either. I also cannot imagine parking outside a yummy smelling Mexican restaurant and leaving a dog in the car but people do this. We took Princess to Minnesota with us. When we are gone to Oklahoma for just a day and a half she stays at home inside, with lots of food and water and a clean litter tray. It is a difference depending on if she is welcome or not. The grand kids enjoy her.
2 people like this
@nonersays (3329)
• United States
10 Sep 17
Leaving a kitty behind for a short visit elsewhere is one thing. Tying a pooch to a pole to feed it to a hurricane is a whole different beast. I was trying to figure out how to bring our FISH with us when we went, and people are leaving their babies behind in cages to drown. Its just crazy!
I' also don't get people who bring their pets everywhere with them just to leave them locked up in a car. They would probably be happier at home.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
10 Sep 17
My pets would NEVER be left behind. We would find a pet friendly shelter if we had to or if we did evacuate our pets would be going with us. I don't understand why people ever leave their pets behind-that is awful!!
2 people like this
@nonersays (3329)
• United States
10 Sep 17
I guess to some people their life is just not as important as human life. But we know that ALL life is important.
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
13 Sep 17
@nonersays Exactly, that is so sad and I couldn't do that to my fur babies.
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
10 Sep 17
I was reading about that elsewhere people leaving their pets..so cruel. Stay safe my friend.
2 people like this
@nonersays (3329)
• United States
10 Sep 17
It is very cruel. They depend on us to take care of them!
And thank you! We're gonna hunker down and hide from the weather the best we can.
2 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99390)
• Canada
10 Sep 17
That is so sad that so many people leave but leave their pets behind. Pets are part of the family and should go with the family. It breaks my heart to read stories about the port animals who are left behind. I don't know how people could do that.
2 people like this
@nonersays (3329)
• United States
10 Sep 17
I don't understand it either. Our pets are part of our family. Always have been. I've never understood the "its just an animal"mindset that some people have. Even people who have pets!
2 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99390)
• Canada
11 Sep 17
@nonersays I know I don't get it. If they dont consider him to be part of their family then they shouldnt be pet owners.
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
11 Sep 17
First stay safe there. Been reading in the news how Irma is leaving a path of destruction where ever she goes.
As for pets, I'd definitely bring them along. Pets are family and no family is left behind.
@nonersays (3329)
• United States
11 Sep 17
She's not gonna be much more than a tropical storm when she passes us, and she is far to the West. The thing we are really gonna have to worry about is tornados.
1 person likes this
@prashu228 (37525)
• India
11 Sep 17
Ohh that's really sad.. how come they leave their pets which are considered as family can be left behind..
@nonersays (3329)
• United States
11 Sep 17
I don't know why or how people could leave their pets behind. I would feel so guilty.
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
11 Sep 17
Since there was a federal law passed after Katrina, that animals could be rescued along with their people into shelters and motel/hotels, there's no excuse for people to leave their animals behind @nonersays ; especially when there was several days of warning.
@nonersays (3329)
• United States
11 Sep 17
Maybe they just don't want to be bothered brining pet things along to take care of them. Clearly they don't care much for their pets in the first place to leave them tied up behind.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
11 Sep 17
@nonersays Exactly. Some people should 'not' have pets. I ran an animal shelter for several years and I can tell you that I care more about animals than most people.
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
11 Sep 17
I would take mine with me too.Stink and all.
1 person likes this
@nonersays (3329)
• United States
11 Sep 17
I actually gave Oscar a special bath cause I thought we'd be staying with my sister in law. Of course he's a house pet. But if I had yard dogs (like my neighbor next door) I'd be doing like you, taking them with me stink and all.
@dgobucks226 (34434)
•
12 Sep 17
I don't why someone would have a dog in the first place if they were going to leave it behind? Pets are so loyal to their owners. Is this the way to pay back that loyalty?
1 person likes this
@nonersays (3329)
• United States
12 Sep 17
Even when not running from storms, so many people have "pets" that they put in the yard and never pay attention to. I wonder why a lot of people have dogs in their lives but not really, you know? Our dog lives in the house with us and sleeps in my bed.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34434)
•
13 Sep 17
@nonersays They are wonderful companions and always are happy to see you when you come home! The wagging tail says it all
1 person likes this
