When it’s raining cats and dogs and severe weather is threatening, cats and dogs can now shelter at the Sportsman Lake Park storm shelters with their owners. The Cullman Police Department has turned one of the five tubes into a pet-friendly shelter.

Cullman Police Chief Kenny Culpepper said they’d been looking at options that included building a separate shelter for pets to sealing off one tube from the others. In the end, using what they already had was the better option, he said.

“It will meet all the tornado qualifications and certifications, but it will not expose everybody in the whole shelter that may have pet allergies or the noise of barking,” said Culpepper.

He said he hears from people that they’re reluctant to go to the shelters because of health concerns for themselves or a family member, or because they don’t want to leave their pets at home.

The pet-friendly shelter will hold about 90 people. There is space for two large dogs to be in crates, but Culpepper said the plan is to try to limit it to small and medium dogs. Owners will need to bring their animals in crates so they can fit under the benches or on the owners’ laps. “The big thing is to not take up space that people can use,” said Culpepper.

Reptiles and birds will not be allowed in the shelter. “It’s cats and dogs only,” said Culpepper.

A police officer and fire-medic are always at the shelters during active severe weather situations, and will be able to monitor activity in the pet-friendly shelter through cameras. The videos are recording, too, so if there are any incidents, such as an altercation between animals, it will be caught on tape.

The chief said they are trying to overcome barriers that prevent people from using the shelters. Not being able to shelter with their pets has been an issue, he said. “We have turned people away because of it.”

People can also stay with their pets in their cars until the situation warrants taking shelter. Culpepper said the emergency personnel on hand are monitoring the weather and can alert people when it’s time to go inside the shelter.

That is also true for individuals who are reluctant to go to the shelter for medical reasons or because of disabilities or limited mobility, said the chief.