In the event of a disaster or hurricane, pet evacuation shelters in Virginia 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.
Virginia Department of Emergency Management
Virginia – Pet Sheltering in an Emergency Evacuation
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management are working with communities across the Commonwealth to help ensure that evacuation and sheltering plans for both people and their pets are ready in the event of a disaster. Sheltering plans for people and their pets are being developed across the state to help ensure that no Virginian will have to choose between staying with their pets and evacuating to a safe shelter. These shelters, which may be at a college or university, a local school, fairgrounds or community center, will allow all member s of the family (including their pets) to be sheltered together or in close proximity to one another. Each pet shelter will have trained animal care personnel to assist in the care of your pets, but it will be your responsibility to walk, feed and care for your pets daily.
PET EVACUATION SHELTERS IN VIRGINIA
Arlington County – Disaster Preparedness
The Animal Welfare League of Arlington and Arlington County’s Office of Emergency Management have included pets in their disaster plans with a 20-foot long trailer, stocked with everything needed to set up a temporary pet-friendly shelter in the event of an emergency, including animal crates, food and water dishes, litter pans, identification bands, pet food, and cleaning supplies. In the event of an emergency, the Office of Emergency Management will call upon the League to set up a temporary shelter at a selected location. The League will tow the trailer to the chosen site and League staff and volunteers will set up and operate the shelter. Residents who need to evacuate will not have to leave their pets behind.
Fairfax County Emergency Management
In case of emergency two shelters can be designated as pet friendly.
Gloucester County Emergency Management
Hampton, City of – Pet Friendly Shelter
Bethel High School, 1067 Big Bethel Rd, Hampton, VA 23666, is the designated pet-friendly shelter. Other shelters are not equipped or staffed for pet sheltering.
Norfolk, City of – Pet Friendly Shelters
The pet-friendly shelters are located at the Bayview Recreation Center, 8613 Willow Terrace Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23503; and Berkley Community Center, 121 West Liberty Street, Norfolk, VA 23523. Pets and emotional support animals will not be permitted at other shelters within the Norfolk City limits. Service animals are permitted at all shelters. The Pet Trailer (received through Urban Area Security Initiative / Homeland Security Grant funds) is equipped with supplies to mobilize and manage pet shelter operations. Equipment includes tarps, cages of all sizes, kits and equipment for registration of the pets.
Suffolk, City of – Pet Friendly Shelter
The pet friendly shelter is located at Nansemond River High School, 3301 Nansemond Parkway, Suffolk, VA 23434 (ADA compliant, pet-friendly, generator power for emergency lighting and to support the kitchen freezers only).
Virginia Beach, City of – Disaster & Emergency Preparedness for Pet Owners
A handful of shelters will allow pets, but you should register in advance.
