Animal safety a priority during Gustav

NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Emergency officials say they are taking improved precautions to protect the pets of residents of southern U.S. states from Hurricane Gustav.

Sandy Cochran, United Animal Nations coordinator in South Carolina, said officials learned a lesson regarding animal safety during Hurricane Katrina as evacuation and safety efforts in states like South Carolina and Louisiana did not include pets, the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram said Monday.

"We're making sure the pets go where their owners go," the state coordinator said. "During Katrina, there was really no plan for what to do with pets."

For loyal pet owners like New Orleans resident Adam Woods, who refused to leave his Labrador mix behind during Hurricane Katrina, the new plan is a lifesaver.

"I wasn't going to leave this time until I heard they'd help you get your dog out of here, too," Woods told the Star-Telegram.