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Pet Preparedness
No one knows when an emergency
will strike and if we’ve learned anything from Hurricane Katrina,
preparing for our animals is just as important as preparing for our
two-legged family members. What animal lover will ever forget the scenes
as they played out on the television?
Animal rescuers breaking into houses pulling dogs, cats and other
animals from attics and off of roof tops were a common sight on the
nightly news. Coverage of overcrowded animal ‘camps’ and footage of
homeowners refusing to evacuate because their pets weren’t welcome
quickly became the top stories. While it’s not something any pet owner
wants to think about, disaster can strike at virtually any moment and it
is important that you have a plan of action in place when it comes to
your pets.
Follow these steps to help ensure the safety of your pet should an emergency occur:
1 Alert Stickers
Place an alert sticker on each entry door, including patio doors, of
your home. These stickers will alert rescuers and emergency personnel to
the type and number of pets in your household. Depending on the sticker
you purchase, you may also be able to list your veterinarian’s name and
clinic phone number. These stickers are inexpensive so be sure to
replace them if the number of pets in your home changes.
2 Emergency Kit
Prepare an emergency kit for every pet in your household. Whether you
keep the kit in one container or more will depend on the number of pets
you have. Backpacks work great for this purpose. Each pet should have:
three days worth of canned food, three liters of water, a collar or
harness and leash, collapsible food and water bowls, two weeks of
prescription or over-the-counter medication, a recent photo, disposable
litter pan and litter (for cats) and first-aid supplies.
Also be sure that you have a carrier for each pet. If you have cats or
small dogs, cheap, disposable cardboard carriers are perfect. For larger
dogs, collapsible wire crates are easier to carry and transport than
larger, plastic airline crates.
3 Caregivers
Should you have to evacuate, are you and your pets welcome at a family
member’s or friend’s home? Make these arrangements ahead of time.
Compile a list of hotels outside of your immediate area that accept pets
and remember: every American Red Cross Disaster Center accepts both
people and their pets.
There are things that you should do for your pet, today, that may make a
difference in an emergency situation. Be sure that your pet is wearing
up-to-date identification tags. Have any dog or cat in your home
microchipped and keep your registration current with your latest contact
information. Lastly, always keep a current photo of your pet with you
as well as any pertinent medical information or records.
In an emergency or disaster, you will find that the more prepared you
are, the less stressful the situation. While nothing you do can
completely alleviate all of the emotion that comes on the tail of an
emergency, preparing for your pet in advance will ensure that you have
at least one less thing to worry about.
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