(Exmouth, January 15, 2026) — A woman evacuated from her home near a bomb site in Exmouth, England, spent the night in a leisure centre after being unable to find accommodation that would accept her pet cat, Bubba.
Alyx Fairbrother was forced to choose between shelter and bringing her cat to safety during an evacuation order.
- Alyx Fairbrother was evacuated from her home in Exmouth due to a nearby bomb threat.
- She was unable to find emergency accommodation that would allow her to bring her cat, Bubba.
- Fairbrother spent the night at a leisure centre, where she and her cat were reportedly uncomfortable.
Alyx Fairbrother, from Exmouth, was evacuated from her home after receiving a knock at the door and being informed of a bomb nearby, according to her account. She was directed to a local leisure centre, which was accepting evacuees.
However, Fairbrother said she was initially advised she could not bring her cat, Bubba, with her. “I sacrificed accommodation because I have a pet with me, there are a lot of people here with dogs,” she said. Despite the advice, Fairbrother chose to bring Bubba, stating he is “part of the family.”
Fairbrother’s home is approximately 100 meters (328 feet) from the location of the bomb, she said. She described feeling “shocked, surprised, a bit panicked, it was very unexpected” when she was told to evacuate.
The leisure centre provided duvets around 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday, but Fairbrother noted the conditions were not ideal, particularly for elderly evacuees. “He’s been in his cat basket all night and he’s not happy at all,” she said of Bubba. “We are sat here waiting to find out what we are doing tonight. It would be nice if we could find a resolution to this.”
Why It Matters
Fairbrother’s experience highlights the challenges pet owners face during emergency evacuations. While emergency services prioritize human safety, the lack of pet-friendly accommodations can force individuals to make difficult choices between seeking shelter and ensuring the well-being of their animals. This situation underscores the need for more inclusive emergency planning that considers the needs of all members of the community, including pets.
Transparency line: Time.news based this report on reporting by the BBC and added independent context.
