stumped about hurricane evac options

[Teresa Cline]

hoping for suggestions ...has anyone else had experience with hurricane evacuation with multiple animals? I am stumped as to where to go when you have 4 large dogs and a noisy parrot. I did a few online searches but the 4 dog/parrot thing seems to be a problem with short term rentals-hotels-motels. Even if I could find a room I could never leave for fear of a ruckus from my dogs. I have considered a camping situation but not sure about that either. Every year come hurricane season I go into high stress mode about this and but I would really like to have something planned this year. So anyone out there with suggestions? thanks for any input!
ps....forgot to add the cat to this line up!

 

[Here4Good]

You might consider finding a kennel near a hotel - we had to evacuate once with a pet combination which would NOT have worked in a hotel room, so we found a nearby kennel for one and took the other. Thankfully, our evacuations have been short ones around here lately. I know it's not ideal to have to leave them in a kennel, but if you can find one in the area where you can go and see them, it's not unbearable.

I suggest you just hide the parrot and not tell the innkeeper you have it. Play the TV real loud to cover up the noise.

 

[scooterbug44]

My best suggestion is finding a cabin or other separate motel structure.

Alternative is a relative or friend with the space/a nearby kennel for all of you that would welcome your visit. 4 dogs and a parrot is a lot of love though, but a friend w/ a farm/old trailer is my suggestion.

Glad you are thinking about it, as having a preset hurricane refuge and plan takes SO much stress out of it IMO.

 

[Teresa Cline]

hey...thats a great idea, I would never have thought about that! my dogs would be soooo freaked out about being left in a kennel though..omg and me too! but it would only be an emergency situation. I LOVE the idea of parrot under wraps! thanks so much for the suggestions!

 

[Matt J]

Try Marriot Residence Inn, they generally allow pets, but I would check that they'll take that menagerie in advance.

They have suites and multi-bedroom units as well so you and the dogs would have more space.

 

[Teresa Cline]

My best suggestion is finding a cabin or other separate motel structure.

Alternative is a relative or friend with the space/a nearby kennel for all of you that would welcome your visit. 4 dogs and a parrot is a lot of love though, but a friend w/ a farm/old trailer is my suggestion.

Glad you are thinking about it, as having a preset hurricane refuge and plan takes SO much stress out of it IMO.

I think the separate cabin thing is probably the ideal situation as I can't imagine anyone taking me and the ZOO in no matter how much they like me! Now I guess a good question is how far away is a safe enough distance to evac to? THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUGGESTION!

 

[beachmouse]

The answer is to try not to go further than you have to- even getting north of I-10 makes a big difference. Run from the water; hide from the wind, and it really isn't too far to get high and away from the water here. Only reason why we'd go as far as SW Georgia is because I've currently got family there, and it's a far more comfortable landing spot than a hotel room would be.

 

[Teresa Cline]

Try Marriot Residence Inn, they generally allow pets, but I would check that they'll take that menagerie in advance.

They have suites and multi-bedroom units as well so you and the dogs would have more space.

Thanks SWGB! I can't imagine they would allow that many animals but it's worth a call to find out. At least having you suggest them gives me a starting point to call. I have Googled short term rentals that allow pets and I get "yes"...one dog allowed a lot. I sort of had a mind meltdown over the hundreds of hotel/motel names that pop up on a search especially because I am not sure which direction to search for in advance of evac needs.

 

[Teresa Cline]

I've heard the "run from the water" advice in the past which made me think of buying a small travel trailer as a option to animals/evac....BUT...what about all the tornadoes that pop up once you're away from the beach area, seems like that would be a concern being in a little trailer in a campground!

The answer is to try not to go further than you have to- even getting north of I-10 makes a big difference. Run from the water; hide from the wind, and it really isn't too far to get high and away from the water here. Only reason why we'd go as far as SW Georgia is because I've currently got family there, and it's a far more comfortable landing spot than a hotel room would be.

 

[seagrovegirl]

Buy a house in North Walton Co., if that is an option, it is what I did for me, family and friends that have pets after the 2005 Hurricane Season. Since I bought the house we haven't had to evacuaute....LOL. If I sell it...BAM, I bet we get a big one.