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Posted: August 30, 2005
The images of the human emotion, devastation and catastrophic destruction
caused by Hurricane Katrina is flooding our television screens. But, new
images are now also appearing. Rescuers in waist deep water are shepherding
a group of five swimming dogs to a rescue boat. A herd of 20 hogs are
huddled on the roof of a flooded home. Cats are clinging to trees huddled
together in the rain.
For many, the anxiety of leaving their homes is compounded by the decision
to leave their pets and livestock. While the odds of a hurricane hitting
Plano are astronomical, the chance for flooding, tornadoes or being on
vacation with pets during a catastrophic event, are not.
Having a preparedness plan for pets is an often overlooked component in
family or personal pre-emergency planning. The need for family and pet
disaster evacuation can exist anywhere, whether it’s a trip with Fido to
Florida, with its potential for fire and hurricanes, to taking the cat to
California, with its potential for earthquakes and mudslides, or just
staying home in North Texas, where the threat of tornado or flash flooding
exists.
Think for a moment of our own region. If a tornado struck, would you be
prepared to quickly get your family and indoor/outdoor pet(s) in a safe
place to ride out the storm? Or, if you had to seek temporary alternative
living conditions, due to flooding or a gas leak, where would you house your
family and pet(s)? Could you evacuate your residence, without notice, and
quickly have everything you need to accommodate getting your family and
pet(s) to a safe shelter?
Here, from the Plano Animal Shelter, are some tips for preparing your pet
for an emergency situation, whether here in town, or on vacation.
Ensure your pets are current on their vaccinations. Shelters and boarding
facilities will not accept animals not current on their shots. Keep pet
vaccination and medical records with your family emergency file and a
current photograph to help locate your pets if you are separated.
Make sure your pet has current ID tags on its collar. Many animals are lost
during disasters and are not returned to their owners because they are not
wearing proper tags. You should have a rabies tag, City registration tag and
optional ID with phone number tag. If you have a collarless indoor only
animal, such as a cat, keep a collar with tags on the ready in the event you
must evacuate. Microchip identification is also gaining in popularity. Check
with your local veterinarian for information.
If you must evacuate, don’t leave your pet behind. Often, it’s impossible to
get back into an emergency location due to debris or barricades. Animal
rescue workers after Katrina advised in a worst case scenario, such as
extreme flooding, if you simply cannot take them, turn your animals loose to
give them a fighting chance. Never chain them in your yard.
Know where you can house your pet(s). Make a list of boarding facilities and
veterinary offices, including 24-hour telephone numbers, within a 50-mile
radius, including pet-friendly hotels/motels. Emergency disaster shelters
will not accommodate pets. If you are going on vacation with your pet, jot
down at least one local 24-hour telephone number for a shelter or
veterinarian prior to your arrival.
Plan for a three-day supply of food and any needed medication in a
waterproof container. Pack a water container, pet first aid kit, sturdy
leashes and an animal tote bag or travel crate to ensure additional safety.
Include removal of birds, ferrets, rabbits, and other small animals and
reptiles in your “carry out” container planning. Disposable kitty litter
containers, pre-packed with litter, are available at most pet supply stores.
Place a familiar toy or treats in your emergency pack to help calm your
pet(s) and reduce stress.
In the event you and your pet(s) are separated in a disaster or emergency
situation, work with your local Animal Shelter, providing information and a
photo of your missing pet. Shelters, such as Plano’s Animal Shelter,
specialize in reuniting displaced pets with their owners.
For your further information there are a multitude of websites, including
the Red Cross and Humane Society of the United States have extensive
information on preparing for pet evacuation or emergency preparedness,
including livestock. Simply type in “Emergency Pet Preparedness” on your
search engine.
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