LETTER – Family pets should be included in wildfire evacuation orders

We find ourselves in another “firestorm” in BC; somewhat similar to the one in 2003. Evacuation alerts are often followed by evacuation orders. There are guides to help people with planning what to take in a suitcase and what important papers to have handy in case you have but moments to flee from a wildfire.

Part of the evacuation plan at our house includes bottled water and food for our dog and every intention of taking him along if and when the evacuation alert becomes an evacuation order.

Hurricane Katrina was a game changer in the United States for recognizing the importance of including your pet (dog or cat) when being evacuated.

There are usually a lot of emotional ties to a family pet. Our present dog was a stray rescued along with his brother by the BCSPCA. Buddy, a Border Collie mix, was a busy boy right from the word “go” and became part of our family. From the time he was a very young dog, I welcomed anyone to meet him while I was taking him for a walk. One of the first people was a young girl who walked to and from school every day. She asked if she could meet Buddy and he became used to people coming up to meet him. Just before Covid, he and I were certified in the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs program. Some of the best times visiting together with him were at several vaccination clinics at Northills Mall.

If an evacuation order was given and someone ordered me to leave Buddy behind, honest to God, I don’t know what I would do. I simply couldn’t leave my best friend to fend for himself.

I’d like to see the BC Provincial Government enact legislation that family pets be included as part of an evacuation order. For all they do for us, we owe it to them.

JOHN NOAKES
Kamloops