Emily Johnson's just brought her cats Lucky and Zeppelin and her goldfish to the emergency pet shelter. She says her apartment will probably flood so it was either bring them here or give them away.
"Well, I mean, they're family. They're about as important an as anybody else that's involved in my family," said Emily.
And because four-legged family members are this important, the state brought Code 3 associates in to create this shelter.
"Pets are very important to their owners and we've found in past disasters, that if arrangements haven't been made for family pets that people are less likely to evacuate, which causes serious issues for people themselves, as well as putting potential rescuers in jeopardy," said Code 3 Executive Director Jim Boller.
Boller says right now the shelter is home to about 21 pets, including 5 chinchillas, 2 rabbits and nine cats. and its ready to take in almost 500 more.
Boller says it's likely more people will bring their furry friends in soon.
"If there's a mandated evacuation, I'm sure that our numbers here will go up, as in every disaster there are gonna be those individuals that wait until the last minute," said Boller.
And although Emily would rather have Zeppelin and Lucky with her right now, she knows they'll be safe here.
"It'll work out. It's better here than in an apartment that's going to flood," said Emily.
If you need to contact the shelter, call 605-773-7410.
