If you plan to ride out the disaster
at home, bring your pets inside immediately and then identify the safest place
for your pets in the house during the emergency. Never leave your pets
unattended.
Plan ahead. Find a safe place to
take your pets to if you need to evacuate. Doing your research in advance will
save you precious time when you and your pets are faced with an emergency. Keep
a list of:
Friends/relatives who would be willing to host your
pets in their home. Provide them with all the necessary supplies and information
on your pets' care needs and daily habits.
Locate pet-friendly hotels/motels in the areas you
would most likely go to. You can find lists on websites such as www.petswelcome.com,www.petscanstay.com or www.takeyourpet.com Or, visit hotel Internet search sites like www.hotels.com or www.travelocity.com (click "pets allowed" in the search
criteria). The American Automobile Association (AAA) publishes
"Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA PetBook". It lists, by state
and city, 13,000 locations that will accommodate pets in an emergency. The
PetBook is available in many AAA club offices, at better bookstores or
online at Barnes and Noble.
Check for grooming and veterinary facilities that may
offer boarding in emergencies. Consult the yellow pages, Internet or the
Better Business Bureau and ABKA (a trade association of pet care
professionals) for lists of boarding facilities. Don't shop by price
alone. If possible, get referrals from friends and your veterinarian. To
locate a licensed veterinarian, use Merial's
veterinarian locator.
Find local animal shelters prepared to provide emergency shelter for displaced
pets. Government run shelters will be listed in the blue pages of the
phone book, and non-profit animal shelters in the yellow pages.
When an evacuation order has been
issued, act quickly and leave as soon as possible. Bring your pets indoors and
ensure they are wearing collars with identification tags. Place dogs on leashes
and small pets in their carriers. Load your pet disaster preparedness kit and supplies into your vehicle. Call your prearranged
animal evacuation site to confirm availability. If you are required to go to a
public shelter, keep in mind you will not be permitted to take your pets with
you.
Disaster Preparedness Checklist
http://us.merial.com/pawstosavepets/prepared.asp
By being prepared with a well
thought-out disaster plan, you can potentially save your pets' lives in an emergency.
When planning, it is important to consider what types of disasters you are
likely to encounter based on where you live. For example, some areas are prone
to hurricanes, whereas anyone can experience a fire or flood, regardless of
geographical location. Following are some general guidelines for disaster
preparedness that you can act on immediately:
Ensure your pets wear at least two current forms of
identification. You may want to consider a microchip implant combined with
tags on a collar. Also keep the information current if you have registered
with any lost and found databases.
Ask your veterinarian for "Save My Pet"
stickers and be sure to place them on your front and back house doors and
on windows to alert emergency workers that pets are in your home. If
possible, list the number and types of animals in your household. Should
you be unable to go inside to retrieve your pets during a disaster, this
sticker could help rescue workers find the animals in your house.
Start a buddy system with a neighbor so they can check
on your pets during a disaster in case you're not home. Agree to do the
same for their pets. Remember to also exchange veterinarian information.
Ensure your pets' vaccinations are up to date. Keep an
extra copy of your pets' health information in your pet disaster
preparedness kit.
A one- to two-week supply of dry or canned food of the
brand your pets usually eat. Be sure to replace the food according to its
expiration date. Include a spoon, food dish and can opener (for canned
food). Record your pets' eating habits (amount and times) as well as any
allergies your pet may have and file together with the other paperwork in
your kit. Store the food in a waterproof and protected bag or case.
Collapsible or travel bowls are easy to store.
A one- to two-week supply of water in gallon-sized
plastic containers. Be sure to replace water regularly to ensure
freshness.
Paperwork
Photographs, in case you need to distribute pictures if
your pets get lost.
Copies of important veterinary documents, such as
vaccination records, medical history, medical conditions, records of
important test results (FELV/FIV).
Names, addresses and phone numbers of your veterinarian
and an alternate veterinarian. Write out a release statement authorizing
medical treatments for your pets. Write down your pets' insurance policy
numbers, if you have pet insurance.
Copies of registration information, adoption papers,
proof-of-purchase, microchip, tattoo, or other identification information.
List of emergency contacts including names,
relationship to you/your pet, phone numbers and addresses.
Other
Cleaning supplies to clean crates and/or litter boxes.
A one- to two-week supply of cat litter, plus a small
plastic litter box and litter scoop. You can opt for a disposable litter
box that comes pre-made with litter.
A two-week reserve supply of any pet medications. List
each pet separately and include the dose and frequency for each
medication. Include directions on how to administer. If possible, keep the
medication in the original package that it came in. Replace according to
expiration date. Do not forget reserve doses of flea and tick control and
heartworm prevention.
Spare or extra collars, harnesses or leashes.
Bedding or pet blankets.
Identification tags, ideally with temporary location or
contact information on them.
Brushes/combs, other grooming supplies.
Toys.
Animal crates or carriers labeled with your contact
information. Ensure the crates/carriers are safe for your pets (latches
and bolts should be secure) and that your pets have room to move around.
To ensure you're prepared if and
when disaster strikes, keep a pet first-aid kit in your home, your car and yourPet Disaster Preparedness Kit.
Recommended contents for your kit
include:
Water bottle
Blanket
Towels
Brush
Waterproof container
Sterile pads (3" x 3" and 2" x 2"
pads)
Gauze bandage rolls (1" and 2" rolls)
First-aid adhesive tape (1" roll)
Cotton-tipped swabs (Q-tips?)
Tweezers
Scissors
Plastic freezer/sandwich bags
Small bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide
Styptic pencil or corn starch
Antibacterial ointment
Antiseptic cleansing wipes
Kaopectate? or Pepto-Bismol?
A current pet first-aid book
Eye wash
Eyedropper
Mineral oil (a lubricant and laxative when given in the
mouth)
Digital or rectal thermometer in a plastic case
Leather work gloves (to protect you if bitten)
Latex gloves
Leash
Thin rope
Splint materials (tongue depressor, 12" wooden
ruler or thick magazine)
Place the contents in a water-proof
container.
Pre-made pet first aid kits are
available for purchase. Look for them in pet supply stores or visit the United
Animal Nations' UAN Store online at www.uan.org.
You may also want to consider taking
the Online Pet First Aid Course.
Important
Disclaimers:
First aid is not a substitute for treatment by a
veterinarian. Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible when your pet
is injured or ill.
Do not use human aspirin on pets, especially cats.
A dog's dry nose is not necessarily representative of
its body temperature.
Be cautious when moving or handling an injured animal ?
animals can react to pain and fear by biting or scratching those closest
to them.
Processing ....