https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/18/opinions/pets-evacuate-animals-disasters-chadwin/index.html

I spent ten years working in northeastern Japan after the March 11, 2011 mega-earthquake, massive tsunami, and nuclear meltdown. I worked in a city largely flattened by the tsunami. Everyone in town knew at least one person who died. Included in the dead was a woman who went back to her home after she had evacuated. She hadn’t brought her dog. Those near her up on a hill tried to stop her from running home, but she went after her dog, nonetheless.

When a disaster hits, people go into crisis mode. Adrenaline kicks in for survival. I have lists of stories from my time in Japan about evacuation and survival. Here is where Dr. Chadwin and I disagree.

In the aftermath of a disaster when you don’t know where you’re going to get water, food, shelter, carrying your pet with you is a deal-breaker. Sometimes shelters will accept a pet. Sometimes they won’t. If your survival is tethered to your pet, please know your pet is a burden. Yes, it’s cruel. Yes, it’s a horrible thing to say. Still, someone needs to say this.

Your pet is not going to bring you food you can eat. Your pet might become sick. You will have to share your limited water with your pet. We need to learn to focus our attention on humans before we start discussing how to escape with our pet.

For animal-lovers, what I’m saying is heinous. I hear you. You argue your pet will comfort you. Yes, I’m sure it will. If yours and your pet’s survival is linked, then your focus becomes how to save the two of you. Please focus on saving yourself. Unless your cat can swim, your rabbit can hop from rooftop to rooftop, your dog knows how to find water, these animals will slow you down.

I know this is hard to hear. You’ll argue your pet is a part of your family. You may love your pet like you love your child. Maybe to you, your pet is your child. Hear me when I say you need to be able to move quickly in a disaster. You may need run, climb, swim. Immediately and unexpectedly. You’ll mourn your pet, and you’ll likely feel immense guilt. Find another pet when you’ve settled down. Focus on you. Focus on your family. You’re going through a crisis. You’re in survival mode. Your heart and head aren’t in sync, and you’re likely in a state of shock. Now is not the time to evacuate with your pet.

I know it’s horrid. I agree it is. It’s still the right thing to do. Get yourself to safety. It’s okay to put people first. This is one of those times.