A coastal county’s plan to operate a pet-friendly emergency shelter could save some residents from facing desperate decisions the next time a hurricane looms toward the Alabama coast.

As a rule, public shelters of last resort have not accepted pets. That means residents have had to consider whether to leave their four-legged friends behind, or to travel with them knowing that many hotels may not accept them – or to remain in harm’s way themselves.

At its meeting on Tuesday, the Baldwin County Commission approved a pet-friendly shelter plan developed with the Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency and the Baldwin County Animal Shelter. The plan calls for the Baldwin County Coliseum in Robertsdale to accommodate dogs and cats.

According to information provided by BCEMA, residents taki

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