AAA Pet Book Helps Pet Owners To Find Lodging During Disasters

Washington, D.C. - 7/12/2006

A newly-updated book released by AAA could become a best seller among pet owners who live in disaster prone communities, because it lists more than 13,000 hotels in the U.S. and Canada that will take in evacuees with pets. It is one of several resources available to pet owners 

According to the American Pet Products Association, 63 percent of U.S. households have at least one pet, accounting for more than 69 million homes, and 45 percent of households have more than one pet. These pet owners are very concerned about their furry friends. A Zogby International poll taken after Hurricane Katrina, found that 61 percent of pet owners say they would refuse to evacuate ahead of a disaster if they could not take their pets.

But life can be difficult for pet owners during disasters. Many Americans who evacuated early from the Gulf Coast before Katrina found that many hotels and public shelters did not accept pets. During Katrina both the Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency reportedly had policies against allowing pets in Shelters.

"Pet owners need to be prepared before disaster strikes by identifying pet friendly properties that are along their established evacuation route," explained Bill Wood, AAA's Director of Publishing Product Development.

According to AAA, publisher of Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA PetBook^®, which was released in May, the number of lodgings that are now accepting pets has increased by 28 percent since 2003. To be even more accommodating, many lodgings now offer special pet treats, services and activities. More than 13,000 lodgings that accept pets are listed in AAA guidebook, as well as more than 400 pet-friendly campgrounds.

For pet lovers who would like to scout out locations that will accommodate pets in an emergency, the AAA PetBook breaks down lodgings by state and city, class (AAA Diamond rating), and address. The book also lets pet lovers know in advance what the hotel's policy is for animals. Some hotels limit the type of pet or size and some require deposits or have a limited number of designated rooms for pets. The AAA PetBook also offers a myriad of tips for traveling with your pet including what you will need to take with you if you need evacuate your home.

AAA's PetBook is one of the most comprehensive and detailed resources available to pet lovers who want to be prepared. AAA members can also search on AAA.com for hotels that accept pets in locations along their planned evacuation route. In addition, the National Hurricane Center Web site offers a disaster preparedness planning guide for pet owners.

Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA PetBook is available at many AAA club offices, online at www.aaa.com/barnesandnoble and at better bookstores. The cover price is $17.95 U.S./$24.95 Canadian.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 49 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, AAA, a not-for-profit corporation and the oldest and largest federation of motor clubs in the country, has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers .

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