24.9 Destinations

1 min read

Have three destinations in different directions (for example, one to the north, one to the east, and one to the west of your area), because danger or traffic can block one. For each one, two routes.

Destinations
Type	Advantages	What to confirm beforehand
Family or friends	Free, support, room to stay longer.	That they will take in all the people and pets in your household; exact address; a key or a way to get in if they are not there.
Pet-friendly hotels	Privacy, and you can stay with your pets.	Weight limit and number of pets, extra fee. A list of 3 to 5 hotels per destination, with phone numbers. In large evacuations they fill up: book as soon as you decide to leave. Some hotels relax their rules for evacuees, but do not count on it.
Public shelters	Free, food, information, basic care.	Ready.gov warns that public shelters generally admit only service animals. Sometimes a separate pet shelter is opened (in large evacuations, some local animal control services have housed more than a hundred evacuees' dogs, cats, and birds). Ask 211 or your city's services line (311 in many cities) which shelters are opening and whether there is a pet option.
Boarding facility or veterinarian	If you go to a shelter, your pets are taken care of.	Phone numbers of boarding facilities and veterinarians near each destination; vaccinations up to date (they ask for them).

211: information on shelters and help for special needs. American Red Cross: 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).