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The Red Cross will soon be offering shelter for your pets during times of disaster such as ice storms, tornadoes, and prolonged power outages. KSMU's Greg Leuthen reports.
During the most recent ice storm across southwest Missouri, thousands of people were left without power. Many of these people looked to the Red Cross and other local shelters for a warm place to stay. However, pets are not allowed to stay in any of these facilities in Southwest Missouri.
Greg Gains is the southwest Missouri regional coordinator for the Red Cross. He says that the Red Cross will soon be offering separate facilities in 18 counties in southwest Missouri aimed at taking care of your pets.
Once the Red Cross opens its pet care facilities, you must drop off your pets in a kennel with an adequate supply of food and any familiar toys or blankets they might need. Gains says that a trained staff including at least one veterinarian will be tending to your pets along with a team of volunteers. The Red Cross has not finalized locations for the new pet shelters, but they are already actively seeking volunteers.
If you would like to be a volunteer at the pet shelter in your area, contact Greg Gains at (417) 832-9500 ext. 126.