@article{ref1,
title="Evacuating people and their pets: older Floridians' need for and proximity to pet-friendly shelters",
journal="Journals of gerontology. Series B: psychological sciences and social sciences",
year="2019",
author="Douglas, Rachel and Kocatepe, Ayberk and Barrett, Anne E. and Ozguven, Eren Erman and Gumber, Clayton",
volume="74",
number="6",
pages="1032-1040",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: Pets influence evacuation decisions, but little is known about pet-friendly emergency shelters' availability or older adults' need for them. Our study addresses this issue, focusing on the most densely populated area of Florida (Miami-Dade)-the state with the oldest population and greatest hurricane susceptibility. <br><br>METHOD: We use Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based methodology to identify the shortest paths to pet-friendly shelters, based on distance and congested and uncongested travel times-taking into account the older population's spatial distribution. Logistic regression models using the 2013 American Housing Survey's Disaster Planning Module examine anticipated shelter use as a function of pet ownership and requiring pet evacuation assistance. <br><br>RESULTS: Thirty-four percent of older adults in the Miami-Dade area have pets-35% of whom report needing pet evacuation assistance. However, GIS accessibility measures show that travel time factors are likely to impede older adults' use of the area's few pet-friendly shelters. Logistic regression results reveal that pet owners are less likely to report anticipating shelter use; however, the opposite holds for pet owners reporting they would need help evacuating their pets-they anticipate using shelters. <br><br>DISCUSSION: High pet shelter need coupled with low availability exacerbates older adults' heightened vulnerability during Florida's hurricane season.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1079-5014",
doi="10.1093/geronb/gbx119",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbx119"
}