Vet News Why I don't like Ike (and why no animal lover should)
Staring down the barrel of a gun never was my idea of a fun pastime. Watching Ike advance feels akin to that same kind of prickly-cold dread. First too far north, now too far south…yet Miami, my hometown and current place of residence, is still well within the cone of error (and still three days away).
South Florida never has been too unified in its approach to the homeless animals in our midst—nor have sufficient numbers of our large animal owners ever cared much to invest in hurricane-ready infrastructure for their creatures. Hurricane Andrew’s devastation to the bovine and equine members of our community fifteen years ago proved that the way we housed our larger domesticated species was woefully inadequate—and, sadly, not much has been done to change that since.
It’s a safe bet, then, that when a hurricane like Ike hits, we’ll be cleaning up cow bodies from lakes, forcing imbedded posts out of impaled horses, rounding up stray, starving pets and generally looking for ways to discuss “disaster relief” for the next big one…as if predicting the impact of an Ike requires the kind of clairvoyance only a recent emergency can conjure.
No, we’re not ready.
As I write scripts for tranquilizers with all the precautionary vet-babble that entails, I make sure people have considered pet food and medications, made provisions for collecting water, tagged their pets securely and planned for crating in the event of penetrating home damage during the storm.
But with the pre-storm flurry of “does-Target-still-have-batteries?”-style concerns, I’d bet most of it goes in one ear and out the other. Rest assured, I hear more about securing boats than I do about trailering large animals to higher, safer ground (and that’s NOT because we have more boats than livestock species).
No doubt a significant percentage of owners are taking every possible precaution (my goats, for example, will come indoors)—but that won’t be enough. Too many horses survive (just barely) on South Florida scrubland to expect that their “owners” will consider where they’ll be housed in the event of a crisis the likes of Ike.
And how about the cattle some developers use to attain tax advantages in advance of construction? As they graze their grass, blissfully unaware of Ike or any other devastating storm, they’re content in their ignorance of their role as placeholders for the cookie-cutter homes that’ll soon displace them. Do you think these developers care where they go to find shelter?
There just aren’t enough hurricane-safe facilities around here to keep all the animals safe. There’s no way these already used and abused animals, among other less valued creatures, would find the kind of shelter they need—unless their owners suddenly awoke to a crisis of conscience and began building the cinder-block structures any coastal herd deserves in hurricane-prone Florida…for next year’s season’s threat.
So keep an eye out throughout the weekend. Keep us in mind on Monday and Tuesday if big Ike does shift north again. And all you rescuers out there? If Ike finally does make landfall here, we’d love to have you…so keep an eye on those CheapTickets fares, too, while you’re at it.
September 6th, 2008
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Add Comment12 Comments
It looks like we will be out of the "Cone of Distruction" this go-round, so if you should need anything, we are just up the road, please call!
We will be taking in a van load of pets from the Keys, and any that have not been fostered out from the Key West shelter. We were direct hits for Francis and Jean and had to run the hospital out of a trailer in the parking lot for several months while repairs were done.
Give us a call if you think we can help you with pre storm prep or clean up.
I do think that you look pretty safe from Ike at this point (but you know Andrew gave us a run for our money with all of the juking around before landfall)
Peace
Becky
Savanna Animal Hospital
Jensen Beach
Becky September 6th, 2008 08:13:00 AM
I'm not of any help in this situation. We're currently getting rain from Hanna and I'm sure the winds will follow later this evening or tomorrow. It'll be just another Nor'Easter like storm sans the snow for us.
For everybody in Florida, take care of yourselves and be safe. I extend my thoughts to those on the Gulf Coast as well, as rumor has it this morning via the Weather Channel that Ike may take a trip through the Florida straights and find itself roaming in the Gulf of Mexico.
Stacy September 6th, 2008 08:35:00 AM
I'll keep my fingers crossed that Ike passes you by.
We're in the midst of the Hanna rains and I'm trying to convince the Moxley dog that going out and going to the bathroom would be a very good idea... He's not buying it so far.
Stay safe!!
Cindy September 6th, 2008 10:40:00 AM
11 AM advisory: Watch out Louisiana and Texas folk.
Dr. Patty Khuly September 6th, 2008 11:36:00 AM
Just got back from a walk at Bide A Wee on Long Island, and the discussion came up as how unprepared we are on the island, and the lack of shelters that accomodate pets.. It boggles my mind how this could be after what Andrew, and Katrina did.. Long Island is vulnerable, and I think it was just dumb luck that we've been unscathed..
Nothing like togetherness with a couple of goats hanging out in the house..
Good luck,
Barri, and Socrates..
barri September 6th, 2008 01:11:00 PM
I am curious to know if anyone has seen the wildlife heading away from the Keys? What will happen to the Key Deer, Gators, Crocks, Panthers..... I am so sad for the Keys. I hope everyone grabs their pets and even strays if they have the room and gets the heck out of Dodge.
Take care everyone!
Florida Girl September 6th, 2008 05:13:00 PM
Florida Girl: Most of the Key Deer are living in sanctuary conditions. I don't know if they take them to the high school on Tavernier during a storm. The birds, however, do get very nervous and definitely skedaddle. Right now I'm sitting outside and I can see more bird movement than usual. That's pretty typical before a storm. We're forecast to get tropical storm gusts starting later today and the birds have been acting like this starting yesterday. They always seem to know before we do that a storm's coming.
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