Tips to Make Sure Your Pets are Cared for During an Emergency
As the heartbreaking photos from Hurricane Katrina taught us, leaving pets behind during an emergency can be a death sentence for them. While, obviously, the welfare of people must be considered before pets, with a little advance planning, you will be less likely to have to choose between your own safety and that of your pets.
Here are some tips to make sure that your pets are safe and happy during an emergency.
Supplies
Just as you need to keep extra supplies for the human members of your family, the same is true for the things that you pets need. Keep extra food, kitty litter, medication and anything else that your pet might need. It is also a good idea to keep “go kit” that is just for your pets. Such a kit should contain at least a two week supply of food and any items you may need to care for your pets on the go including bowls, water and other items.
Keeping a go kit ready means that you won’t accidentally leave an important item behind should you need to flee in a hurry.
Evacuation
Pet owners often face quite a dilemma when they are forced to evacuate. Many shelters will not accept pets (although this is changing in many places), so that forces owners to choose between evacuating and leaving their pets behind.
Obviously, the safety of the human members of your household must take priority, but if you plan ahead, you might not have to make such a heartbreaking choice.
As part of your emergency planning, you should get a list of all of the places that would be used as shelters in your area. Call around to see if any of them take pets. If so, you’ll need to get a list of their rules and limitations. Some will only allow one pet, others require the pets to be in a kennel. If you know the rules and can prepare for them, you won’t be turned away at the last minute.
Some emergencies provide enough notice that residents of the threatened area can evacuate ahead of the danger. If you are a pet owner, this is the best option for you.
When you leave prior to a hurricane or flooding, then you are giving your pet the best chance to not be left behind. As part of this type of planning, you should find a pet-friendly hotel in the area in which you’d like to evacuate. At the first sign of danger, make a reservation. You can always cancel if you choose not to evacuate, but waiting to make the reservation could mean that the hotel will be booked by the time you make your decision.
Microchipping
Having a microchip placed in your dog or cat offers the best chance of you one day being reunited with your pet should an emergency situation separate you. After every hurricane there are hundreds of homeless pets and pet owners searching for their lost four-legged family members. Had these pets had a microchip, reuniting pets with owners would be very easy.
Keep in mind that you should include a phone number other than your home phone on the microchip company files. If your home is destroyed, they will need another way to contact you. Consider also listing the phone number of a friend or relative who lives out of the area.
Preparing to care for your pets in an emergency is just as important as planning for your own safety. With a little care ahead of time, you and your pets will be better able to survive any disaster.
Make sure you prepare yourself and your family for any type of emergency with life-saving survival kits from 1-800-PREPARE.
(We also intend to give a portion of each sale to groups such as: volunteer fire departments, ambulance corps and any other groups that respond or assist in times of need.)
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