In July 2023, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry released the revised version of “Cohabitated Human/Household Pet Sheltering Toolkit.”

The purpose of this Toolkit is to offer functional guidance to aid in the establishment, operation, and maintenance of Cohabitated Human/Household Pet (CHHP) shelters in response to an emergency associated with a natural or manmade disaster. CHHP sheltering means that people and their pets are physically together within a shelter. In contrast, Collocated Human/Household Pet sheltering involves separate facilities for the humans and pets. These facilities are typically in close proximity so the humans can routinely visit and care for their pets. CHHP sheltering generally requires a collocated pet shelter for those pets not suitable for the Cohabitated shelter. Pet evacuation, sheltering, and care are inherently the responsibility of the pet owner.

Experience has shown that some people who need assistance with evacuation, transportation, and sheltering during an emergency may refuse to leave their homes unless they also receive assistance with their pets. Planning is required to address the needs of pet owners who require evacuation and sheltering assistance for their pets as well as the needs of people who have service animals. Each state has a designated lead agency to aid in this mission during a disaster. Each jurisdiction should identify a lead agency to aid in this sheltering mission.

This Toolkit was produced under a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), with the assistance of USDA, Louisiana State Animal Response Team, Tangipahoa Parish Government, Friends For Life, and the American Red Cross.