Its been on ITV news Thames region at 6am that dogs were not allowed in emergency storm centres at Cleethorps last night, it showed people having to sit outside all night in those silver thermal blankets.

.

Read on FB that the same thing happened in Clacton too.

How awful. Were reasons given?

I can understand this from a health and safety point of view but i dont know why a seperate room or area couldnt have been made available for dogs and their owners.
I'm sure in this emergency situation the local shelters/rspca etc could have provided some crates etc so dogs could be contained safely

It was the same for all those evacuated to the leisure centers in the Scunthorpe areas (The Pods, Epworth ad Baysgarth) all said you had to make alternative arrangements for pets. As im local to the affected areas I was wondering what id do in that situation and decided if that was the case id load all the dogs into the van and drive somewhere safe for the night, I certainly wouldn't be leaving them behind!

This was posted on a different site

"The Government guidance for Local Authorities says "Pets and livestock
3.24 It should be assumed that many people will resist any advice to leave pets and sometimes livestock behind, and that a small percentage willrefuse to evacuate unless the needs of their animals are met. Arrangements to care for animals therefore need to be built into evacuation plans."

if that was the case id load all the dogs into the van and drive somewhere safe for the night, I certainly wouldn't be leaving them behind!

I'd do exactly the same, couldn't leave anything behind whilst I was tucked up safe and sound, I'd spend the whole time worrying about them, and feel so guilty if anything did happen, so what's the point in leaving them behind. Although for people with horses and livestock, what the heck do you do with them?????

Luckily, we don't have too many problems like this, although we're supposed to get arctic weather this winter so might be best for us all to have a plan sorted.......... just incase........

One thing about living near the top of a hill, rarely get flooded. However if it snows............

........ you can use a sledge. :-D

d load all the dogs into the van and drive somewhere safe for the night, I certainly wouldn't be leaving them behind!

Me too!
.

> d load all the dogs into the van and drive somewhere safe for the night

Assuming, of course, that you are lucky enough to have a van ! Many of the people that use the shelters are those who are unable to make any other arrangements ie the elderly, infirm or those who just can't afford a vehicle.

I´d NEVER leave ANY of my pets behind if I had to evacuate.  In fact they´d be the first "things" I´d think of before computers, passports etc.  Well, maybe I´d have to leave the fish behind because I wouldn´t be able to carry the aquarium.  LOL

6 dogs and 4 cats into my little van along with supplies and off we'd go. I would never leave them behind. Not a clue what I would do with all my chickens though. Thankfully I live on a hill miles from anything bigger than a tiny stream.

Heard of a relative of a work colleague who was travelling from London to Scotland on the train yesterday with her dog.She only got as far as Newcastle and then struggled to find accomodation (B&B or hotel) that would take her and her dog.
Makes you think doesn't it?
If us doggy folk are planning a holiday you have plenty time to find dog friendly accomodation but obviously you don't have this luxury when you get delayed due to a storm.

> if that was the case id load all the dogs into the van and drive somewhere safe for the night, I certainly wouldn't be leaving them behind!

Ditto!  My dog sitter isn't far away, I would ask him to bring his large estate for my 2 big dogs, and perhaps half a dozen little ones. I'm sure that the 17 remaining tinies would be fine in my medium car, with the back seats down.  They're never up actually.  I would easily get 3 large dog beds in the back.  Plenty of space.

Very pleasing that so many wouldn't dream of leaving their pets. 

I live within 50 meters of  flood risk area (our neighbour up the road was flooded 18 months ago when the beck breached its banks) and less than 20 miles from Boston that was flooded on Thursday night with the tidal surge, The tributary that we live near goes into the main river to Boston so was all very real ( Luckily it didnt come anywhere near)
We sat and discussed what we would do, working out what animals needed to go where, if the chickens ducks and goose would be okay, what we would do with the rabbits dogs etc.
There is no way I would leave my animals to fend for themselves. It was all that we would move any animals etc upstairs just in case. Luckily it didnt come to that. But I know an old lady with a dog was left outside a centre not too far away from here in the cold with just a silver blanket :( :(
Lea

> But I know an old lady with a dog was left outside a centre not too far away from here in the cold with just a silver blanket :-( :-(

   
That is so inhuman.  I am reeling with shock.  How cruel.

Whenever there is a situation like this, I always wonder about the animals and what's being done, or not done, to help them.   Unfortunately this kind of ban is just a reflection of the times we live in.   People in the UK often don't have their dogs under proper control, which results in all this NO Dogs stuff, in so many areas (renting being one!!).    When I was last in Switzerland visiting a friend over there, I was amazed to see how many WELL BEHAVED dogs there were everywhere.   In shops, pedestrian areas in towns, and yes, in restaurants - sleeping quietly under tables.   There was no skirting around dog mess or aggressive dogs to be seen.  Unfortunately we in the UK are now reaping what some have sewn.   And that's so sad.

It might be okay for those who can load their pets into cars/vans, but what about the pensioner who may not have a car!!

People in the UK often don't have their dogs under proper control, which results in all this NO Dogs stuff, in so many areas (renting being one!!).

How true.  In the past 30 years I've seen a change in the general attitude in this country - very few dogs or children appear to be under control anymore and that's a change - not for the better. :(

There was a picture
http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/flood_update_buses_take_home_last_remaining_evacuees_in_jaywick_as_families_leave_rescue_centre_at_school_1_3085286
in local paper of people who were evacuated in Clacton

Don't start me on kids and their behaviour!    We had some living by us, in a small hamlet.   We had to leave our car on the road outside, and a couple of budding thugs would insist on playing football out there, often hitting the side of the car.   When we went out to try to sort it out, all we were told is how much money one of these kids had in his Bank account, and if there was damage, he'd pay!!!   No question of moving off somewhere else to kick a ball about!

Not quite the same as a storm, but I had my dog with me when my car decided to break down several miles from home and down country lanes on Christmas Day evening, after visiting family, so no public transport.
I called the AA and eventually a truck arrived with a hook on the back to hook the front of my car up and tow it at an angle  suspended on the back wheels.
My GR was bathed, brushed and spotless, but was not allowed to travel in the truck with me. The man insisted he travel in my car back seat even though it was up at a dangerous angle. As it was night time I agreed, I had no choice although I couldn't breathe with concern for what my dog was going through swung around on the end of a chain and hook.
The very next morning I complained loudly to the AA and cancelled my subscription.
Everything in me wanted to tell the man to go to hell, but we ( my dog and me ) really needed to get home and I had no option. I asked if I could travel in the back of my car with my dog, but this was not allowed. The man knew I had no choice, but this really gutted me as there was plenty of room in the truck on the floor by my feet, but he said dogs are not allowed.

Sillysue, doing that with your dog is bad enough, (and I agree you had no choice) in many ways I can understand it, they don't know if the dog will behave, or get stressed and bite, pee, or leave hair which may cause a reaction,  but they should be prepared for situations like this.

When I broke down with my two sons both under 10 years at the time, the AA came to tow us to a garage, it was ok arriving as we were all towed in my car, but on his offer to drop us home he said only two people could go on the seat, what was I supposed to do leave one of my sons behind?  In the end he gave in and allowed one of my sons to sit in the back of the van on the floor with his tools, (which he thought was fab) but it all had to be hush, hush, I know it is all to do with insurance, but they should cater for these situations.......... or are we asking for too much?

I guess companies don't need to care about our animals or children........ if push had come to shove I'd have had to get a cab, but I just thought it was mad that the AA guy even said such a thing as...... I can only take two, I actually made him repeat it.

The dog wardens in clacton tried to take as many dogs and cats as possible but the shelters which were schools would not allow them. The ones that were taken were housed in council kennels and the boarding kennels they use.

Health and safety!!!!   Grrrr.   I think Green Flag will accept dogs in the truck.  Might be worth checking?