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News Releases & Articles... |
When Disaster Strikes - You and Your Pet Will Be Safe!
By Amanda St John
 Disasters
strike all over the
United States -
earthquakes, floods, landslides, hurricanes, tornados, and severe winter
storms.
Getting a pet organized in case of a disaster means planning ahead to increase the
chances of the survival of both you and your pets,
Steps to take Right Now
Hundreds of pets get lost
every year when disasters strike. During the confusion animals can travel
great distances from home. They may run away trying to escape the chaos,
or may be rescued by a Good Samaritan and taken to another safer location far
far away. Statistics show many rescued pets are never returned to their
owners, why? because of lack of
identification.
Check your pet’s ID tag.
Is it still legible and
current? Is there enough information to find you - even if your phone has
been disconnected? Does it have an address?
Get Him Microchipped
One of the greatest innovations
today is that of micro-chipping. There is an army of shelters, vets, and
rescue organizations who will return your pet from just about anywhere in the
United
States, if it has a chip. These life
saving chips are placed just under the pet’s skin. A scanner will ID the
chip and the chip number is indexed on a national database. It is up to you to
make sure your information is regularly updated on the national database!
To get your pet micro-chipped, visit your vet or local shelter – it is worth
it!
Photograph!
Take a picture of your dog now and place it
in a plastic bag with your “Pet Organizer”.
Rescuing Your Animals During a
Disaster
Who
will help them? You may not be home when the disaster strikes or the order
comes to evacuate.
The disaster could also be localized to just your own
home – like a fire. If your animals are kept indoors or at home during the
day, make sure that you have that information displayed on a small laminated
sign near your front door.
”FIRE DEPARTMENT. Animals live
here. One cat, two dogs, fish, birds.”
Pet leashes ideally would be on a hook right at the front door so your
critters can quickly be secured. Dogs will submit to their own leashes and
a stranger much quicker than to a rescue
rope.
Set
up a buddy system with your neighbor. This works great for vacation
pet-sitting too. In
an emergency they (or you) will pick up the pets and meet at a pre-arranged
location. When you have been exchanging pet sitting favors, you will
already know each other’s pets and have house keys. Your buddy will be
familiar with your home and know where your animals are likely to be. Let
them know where you keep your pet’s “Disaster Survival Box” and pet
carriers.
Moving the Animals to a Safe
Location
Evacuate pets early. Bring a safe carrier or crate for each
pet.
Since pets are not
allowed inside shelters for humans you may need to board them or take them to a
friend. Boarding facilities will need proof of immunizations and distemper
shots – find those in your pet’s “Disaster Survival Box”.
What do you put in your pet’s Disaster Survival
Box?
For each pet you need:
-
Pet Organizer Book/Folder
with your pet's name, your address and phone number.
Get
a current photo of your pet (laminated or in a plastic
bag).
Make copies of current distemper and rabies shots,
immunizations, and licenses. These are required by boarding
facilities and you may need to board your dogs during an emergency.
Set yourself up with
Pet
Insurance![]() Consider if you
can afford an emergency room vet bill.
Update and replenish your business cards. You may need to
exchange information with a lot of people when you are looking for your
pet. You can write your pet’s description on the
back.
Update your address book:
Pet
Emergency Numbers: List your veterinarian, your local shelter, and
animal control.
Alternate Housing Numbers: During the emergency you will
need the names of boarding kennels, veterinary hospitals with kennels, and pet
friendly hotels. Getting your pet into a secured environment quickly is
the key, whether it is home or someplace like home. The longer they are
out, the greater the chance that may get lost or injured.
-
Refresh your food & water
supplies. Cans of dog/cat food. Food bowls. Water.
Treats.
-
Repack your First Aid Kit.
(General Medicines, Plasters, bandages, disinfectant, wet### toweletts).
You can learn a little Pet
First Aid with this amazing DVD: Pet Emergency First Aid: Dogs (DVD)
![]() The pet's life you save may be your
own.
-
Check your
Equipment. A Muzzle. Pets get anxious around strangers and the
last thing you need is for someone or even another dog to get
bit. Consider a lightweight chain and “D” ring clips, to
facilitate leashing.
-
Comfort. A small blanket and a large black plastic
bag. The bags could become ground cover or a raincoat for your
dog. A brush. A dried chew bone will keep your pet distracted
during a long confinement.
-
Paper towels. Baggies. Anything else.
Keep your Pets Calm.
Pets can become fearful and
agitated. During the evacuation, communicate with your pets and re-assure
them that you will all be going back home.
Finding Your Lost
Pet
If you lose your pet during the disaster, (or if you find one)
things may be up to you entirely.
Take the photograph and
make several copies. Post everywhere both near and far.
Concentrate on areas where people congregate during the disaster.
Contact veterinary hospitals, boarding kennels, animal control
facilities and humane societies in you area.
The Internet and
Blogs are becoming a great rescue tool. If you can get to a computer do a
Google word search for your city or area disaster, and post your information on
the blog.
Come to MuttShack to
report a found or lost pet and you will find an outpouring of help from animal
bloggers.
Going Home - New
Dangers
When you return home, before you
let your pets loose, be aware of any possible new dangers in your
environment. Chemical or toxic spills, loose power lines, shifted ground
areas etc. Look out for displaced creatures - snakes, coyotes,
raccoons, skunks and other wild animals that may now be in your area.
Don’t assume that your pets will avoid any such danger. Make sure that the
danger is eliminated.
###
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