In the event of a hurricane or disaster, pet evacuation shelters in Louisiana will be coordinated by county and local emergency management agencies. Please check with your local emergency management agency for information on pet friendly evacuation shelters in your county. Local and state health and safety regulations do not permit the Red Cross to allow pets in disaster shelters. (Service animals are allowed in Red Cross shelters.). It may be difficult to find shelter for your animals in the midst of a disaster, so plan ahead. Keep a list of pet friendly hotels in your area in case you have to evacuate and your local shelter is full.
Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
Louisiana Animal Evacuation
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry is the lead agency charged with the evacuation and sheltering of household pets during a declared disaster in Louisiana. Parish governments and animal/pet facilities must file an emergency plan with the local parish office of emergency preparedness and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry by March 1st on an annual basis.
Louisiana State Animal Response Team
For people who do not have any transportation during an evacuation event, Parish OEP will be setting up Parish Pick-Up points for assisted transportation and there may be transportation available there for the pets of those families seeking evacuation assistance but NOT for self-evacuators.
Humane Society of Louisiana: Hurricane Preparedness Guidelines
Guidelines designed to help you make these preparations to ensure the welfare of your pets this hurricane season.
Calcasieu Parish – Hurricane Preparedness
Jefferson Parish Emergency Management
New Orleans: NOLA Ready
NOLA Ready is the City of New Orleans’ emergency preparedness campaign, managed by the Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness.
New Orleans, City of – Pet Owners Plan for Emergencies
If you require City Assisted Evacuation to leave town and you have a pet, please note: Small pets that are 20 lbs or less can ride with you on the bus. Larger pets will be taken to the Union Passenger Terminal by LSPCA. When you register at the evacuspot, you’ll register your pet’s information too. The city tracks where everyone in your family is going, including your pet. Your pet will be taken to an animal shelter near where you’re sheltered. You’ll care for your pet at the animal shelter.
Plaquemines Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
Plaquemines Parish – Emergency Planning for Pets
There are state designated shelters available for evacuees with pets, but they are on first come, first serve basis. They will fill quickly. Pet friendly shelters should be your last resort. You will be expected to care for your pet at these facilities. Please bring all necessary items (e.g. kennel, medication, food, cage, leashes, collar, litter box, etc.), which will allow you to provide proper care to your pet. Since resources are limited, the Plaquemines Parish Animal Facility will not be able to house animals during an evacuation. Plaquemines Parish will not accept your pet if you are self-evacuating. If you need parish-assistance in evacuating, your pet is allowed to evacuate with you. Pre-register your pet by calling the Animal Control Department at 504-393-0215. Once a mandatory evacuation is called for, you and your pet are to go to the designated evacuation checkpoint, the Belle Chasse Auditorium, 8398 LA-23, Belle Chasse. Your pet will be registered and identified with a temporary collar bearing your initials and your driver’s license or LA ID number. Pets will be transported to a pet evacuation shelter via animal transport.
Terrebone Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
