stumped about hurricane evac options

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

We usually evacuate to Tallahassee, it rarely gets hit or is in the direct path, and even then it's like a bad thunderstorm. Grew up there and the worst to ever hit was Hurricane Kate, mostly downed power lines, of course it could be over due for the big one. :idontno:

I wouldn't recommend a travel trailer at all due to the danger inherent with them, even traveling out of the path doesn't mean the hurricane can't change direction. You'd have to drive so far inland to be safe you'd kill yourself on gas.

I'd contact the hotel and if they won't, they might have suggestions for people with multiple pets. Contacting kennels in the surrounding area is a good idea as well such as Dothan, Tallahassee, etc.

I always do relatives in Auburn having a large dog and two cats. And the hiding the parrot is a great suggestion. When talking with the peeps at the hotel, just "squawk" occassionally whenever you talk to them and they will just think you are crazy instead of having a bird hidden!

I just googled pet kennels for Troy Alabama and found a large group in that area all the way to Montgomery Al.

We just bought an old RV. It runs, has a generator, stove, fridge, everything. We bought it because our girls really wanted a "house on wheels" but after we got it here we thought, Hey this is our hurricane party bus!

I think Vortec Springs allows pets. Small brick cabins, good price but fill up quick when a hurricane is coming.

hahaha! "CRAZY"...its not far from the truth just in general

I always do relatives in Auburn having a large dog and two cats. And the hiding the parrot is a great suggestion. When talking with the peeps at the hotel, just "squawk" occassionally whenever you talk to them and they will just think you are crazy instead of having a bird hidden!

according to Google maps Troy is only 2.5 hrs away...thats doable! thanks for the info I will follow up with more research...thanks!!!

I just googled pet kennels for Troy Alabama and found a large group in that area all the way to Montgomery Al.

YEAH! that's exactly what I was thinking too. and when not using as an evac option it can sit in my driveway as a "guest house"....only downside to this is I can barely manage to remember to put gas in my truck,,,,I am mechanically (automobile wise) very challenged and if I had to keep an old RV running, well...it would be a sad thing.

We just bought an old RV. It runs, has a generator, stove, fridge, everything. We bought it because our girls really wanted a "house on wheels" but after we got it here we thought, Hey this is our hurricane party bus!

Vortec Springs?? never heard of it but I Googled it and LIKE THIS IDEA A LOT!!! going to check this idea out! thank you!

I think Vortec Springs allows pets. Small brick cabins, good price but fill up quick when a hurricane is coming.

the trailer idea is a problem in high wind, I remember as a child how scary it can be pulling a travel trailer in high wind, but its really nice when you finally get to a camp ground!
Tallahassee is a definite option in the evac plans...thankyou!

We usually evacuate to Tallahassee, it rarely gets hit or is in the direct path, and even then it's like a bad thunderstorm. Grew up there and the worst to ever hit was Hurricane Kate, mostly downed power lines, of course it could be over due for the big one. :idontno:

I wouldn't recommend a travel trailer at all due to the danger inherent with them, even traveling out of the path doesn't mean the hurricane can't change direction. You'd have to drive so far inland to be safe you'd kill yourself on gas.

I'd contact the hotel and if they won't, they might have suggestions for people with multiple pets. Contacting kennels in the surrounding area is a good idea as well such as Dothan, Tallahassee, etc.