Originally posted by Kyla

I know I will get completely jumped on for saying this.. but, would you leave your child behind? In *my* mind, Charlie is my child, and I sure wouldn't dream of it.
A dog is not a human being. Neither is a cat.

I totally understand the feelings of pet owners. I am an animal lover myself. Heck, we all know that's where my screen name comes from. But an animal is *NOT* a human being. A dog or cat only lives for a few years anyway.

The problem is, these people who stay make it harder for rescue workers and police to maintain order in the city. That means innocent HUMANS lose their lives because of people staying behind with pets. These pet owners who refuse to leave are causing harm to OTHER PEOPLE due to their lack of responsibility and their irrational equating of a human life to an animal life.

If you choose to have a pet, you have taken on a responsibility. That means if there is an evacuation ordered, you better make sure you get YOURSELF and your pet out of town before the authorities have to come and forceably evacuate people. Once it gets to the point where the government is having to force evacuate, the pets should stay behind.