Pet-Friendly Hurricane Shelters

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Jamaica’s geographical location makes the island not only prone to hurricanes but also earthquakes. We must come to grips with this reality, a truth in which the State will be called upon to provide more shelters as the intensity of hurricanes increases due to global warming and climate change. Our ever expanding collection of unplanned settlements, mainly due to the inability to afford home, clearly put the citizenry at particular risks. The time has come for the society to invest in constructing shelters in each parish instead of using schools which often leaves these educational institutions in a state of despair after the evacuees leave for home. Additionally, the State also needs to ensure that some of the public shelters are pet- friendly. In many instances people are forced to leave their pets at home not knowing how long they will be holed up in a shelter or who will care for their pets during their absence.
Benefits of Having a Pet
Research indicates that there are numerous benefits of having a pet around. These include a boost in one’s mood. It only takes a few minutes with your favourite pet for you to feel calmer and less stressed. Time spent with your pet will see a lowering of cortisol, and an increase in serotonin, a good feeling chemical in your body. Having a pet also contributes to lowering of one’s blood pressure. People with pets tend to have better cholesterol levels and triglycerides than owners of pets.
Last, but not least, we need to have a mandatory evacuation policy for those individuals who live in flood prone areas as well as those who are homeless. Oftentimes, the homeless are not given any consideration during time of natural disasters, this is rather inhumane and troubling, and we need to make right this wrong.

Wayne Campbell
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo  

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