In the event of a natural disaster would you evacuate to a shelter if it meant leaving your companion animal(s) behind?

I got a call from a friend of mine, a Katrina “survivor” and among his many suggestions, as Irene approaches, was to at least familiarize myself with where the local shelters are. There are only two in my area… one will take you and your animals, one will not. I think one of the few positive effects of Katrina was a realization and understanding by authorities and non-profits that some people simply will not leave their animals behind so there are now at least some emergency shelters that will take you in with your animals.