OBJECTIVES
American Red Cross
shelters do not permit animals, except service animals aiding the
disabled. As a direct result of the massive devastation brought on by hurricane
Katrina, and the reluctance of many to evacuate without their pets, Congress
mandated that all community disaster plans include provisions for providing for
pets.
Although D.A.D.S. encourages evacuating early and taking your pets along in the event of a pending disaster, it was also recognized that evacuation may not always be an option.
The Delaware SPCA site at
Georgetown, DE (Sussex County) has unused outdoor animal cages and runs. D.A.D.S. and the SPCA have entered into an
agreement that allows D.A.D.S. to upgrade and use the outdoor areas for sheltering
pets during declared emergencies or disasters.
Professionally engineered drawings have been completed and
rehabilitation of the facility will begin when funding is secured. The goal is to have enough cages and runs to
accommodate at least 100 dogs and as many cats at the SPCA facility and any
auxiliary facilities that may be designated.