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It is essential that you plan
ahead for a disaster even though you
think that something will never happen
to you or in your immediate area. It
may not be long lasting, but one never
knows how long any incident will last.
Do not count on a service like the Red
Cross to take care of your pets, as
they are not interested in that at all,
all they want to do is to get the humans
out of danger and into a safe area.
You must always prepare for the worst
and hope for the best.
Plan ahead for a place to house
you and/or your pets in case of
the emergency. Contact your local
Humane Society and your local
township or governing body for
their evacuation plans for pets
and other animals, and how they
will be cared for if they have
to be left in great haste. If
they don't have one set up, work
with them on establishing a workable
plan. After all, you are going
to work out a plan for yourself
and your pets.
Check with the local motels in
your area to see if your pets
can stay with you at such times.
Ask your friends and relatives
that live nearby if they can care
for the pets until you can return
to your home. Check with a local
(or more distant if necessary)
Kennel to see if they would be
able to house your pets for an
extended stay. You may not be
able to find shelter for your
pets at any regular facility and
some makeshift ones may be set
up. If you have extra crates for
cats and dogs, make sure they
are accessible for quick availability.
When you set up a plan for emergency,
make sure it is accessible at
the same time.
Find a pet owning neighbor and
arrange with them to have access
to your home in the event of a
disaster. Show them where your
disaster supplies are kept and
prepare a document authorizing
them to make emergency veterinary
decisions for your dog, cat, etc.
Make sure your pets are comfortable
with whom you choose and also
that they are comfortable around
your pets. Needless to say, such
an arrangement is reciprocal.
Be sure to get to know your disaster
buddy's pets and have a clear
understanding of how to handle
them in a disaster.
Take time to prepare documents
in advance, you can make it easier
to care for your pets during a
disaster. Having this information
at your fingertips will reduce
your stress and save crucial time
in an emergency. Prepare posters
ahead of time - if you lose your
pet during a disaster, you will
need these signs to help get it
back. Then all you need do is
fill in the pertinent details
and contact information. Keep
a separate poster on each pet,
provide detailed description and
any specific markings that will
identify them.
Prepare a document on the care
and feeding of each pet, and include
any commands that they know and
will obey for someone else. These
will help even in non-disaster
times if you use a pet sitter
or boarding kennel. Write easy-to-read
overviews of your animals medical
histories, including any medications
they take and any allergies they
have. Attach them to the copies
of your pet's medical records
that you store in your disaster
supply kit. Don't forget to keep
it updated.
EMERGENCY SUPPLIES
FOOD - Store a week's supply
of the brand your dog is accustomed
to eating. If you feed canned
food, try to buy small cans so
you don't have to worry about
storing half-eaten cans. Include
a can opener in the kit along
with a spoon, and don't forget
a food bowl. Keep the food in
the disaster kit fresh by rotating
it every three months. If your
dog won't eat the food you have
on hand it won't do you any good.
An easy way to remember to rotate
the food is to replace it every
time you purchase new food. Just
feed your dog the food you've
rotated out of the kit.
WATER - Have at least a week's
worth of fresh water (either bottled
or tap), along with a water bowl,
in the kit. Water should be rotated
every three months as well. Store
the water out of direct sunlight
to prevent diarrhea-causing bacteria
from forming. Also keep a small
container of bleach, and a sealable
container in your kit to purify
water. If needed, you can mix
two drops of household bleach
per quart of water, sealing the
mixture tightly for at least 30
minutes before giving it to your
pet.
TREATS AND TOYS - A small supply
of treats will make your dog feel
more comfortable and also provide
a welcome distraction during stressful
times. The same goes for a favorite
toy. If you can put some bedding
in the kit easily, go ahead and
do so. You will want your pet
to feel as comfortable as possible.
SANITATION AND CLEANING SUPPLIES
- Your kit should be stocked with
a pooper scooper or plastic bags
to clean up after your dog. Have
a disinfectant on hand for cleaning
crates along with paper towels
for drying them. Also include
dish soap for cleaning food and
water bowls.
COLLAR AND TAG - Buy an extra
collar and blank tags for the
kit. Have a harness included even
though the pet is not used to
one. Your dog or cat will not
be able to slip out of a harness
as easily as a collar if it is
frightened during a walk.
MEDICAL SUPPLIES - Keep a copy
of your pet's veterinary records
(including shots) in the disaster
kit, stored in a waterproof bag.
Don't forget to update the records.
Also store a two week supply of
any medications your dog regularly
takes. Don't forget heartworm
and/or flea medication, and keep
an eye on the expiration dates.
Include a muzzle in the event
your dog is injured and requires
first aid. A first-aid kit should
be included with your disaster
supplies as well.
GROOMING SUPPLIES - If your dog
enjoys being groomed, include
a brush in the kit. Also supply
the kit with a dry shampoo in
case you need to bathe your dog
and water isn't available. Include
towels, nail clippers and flea
powder.
CONTAINMENT - You will need a
crate in which to contain each
pet in case of evacuation. You
can even use the crate to store
your disaster supplies. You will
also need a stake and tie-out
cable or chain for each dog. Be
sure to have an extra leash on
hand.
PROPER IDENTIFICATION IS CRUCIAL
- Keep an updated photo of each
animal, along with blank tape
or tags to write telephone numbers
on. Your phone may be out of order.
Have a pen with permanent ink
along with extra tags or masking
tape. If your dog has a microchip
or is tattooed, indicate such
in the medical records.
IF YOU MUST LEAVE YOUR PET -
In the event you must leave your
pet unattended in your home, try
to leave it in a utility or a
bathroom where water is available.
Leave a faucet on so that it will
drip into a container for the
pet. If you use a bathtub, let
there be no more than 4 inches
in depth with a faucet to drip.
Leave dry food behind for them
to eat, leave enough for many
days. Separate cats from dogs
so that fighting will not occur.
In case of flooded areas, leave
furniture stacked so that pets
can escape the rising water. Don't
leave your pets in a basement
if there is any chance of it being
flooded. You may be told it will
be for just a short time, but
remember, this has happened at
other emergencies, the short time
turned into many days, and many
pets died because they were not
adequately supplied with food,
water and adequate shelter.
Remember, it is best to be able
to take your pets with you as
once you get past that roadblock,
you will not be going back, or
even allowed to go back. If you
are now convinced that it is wise
to prepare yourself and your pets
for a disaster, don't put it off:
Disaster could hit tomorrow. Don't
think it won't happen to you;
keep your wits about you and follow
your disaster plan. You will have
the time to implement it.
DON'T LEAVE YOUR PETS!!!
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