Even though Hurricane Season 2008 is already underway, it's never too late to get ready for a emergency. We know you have your grab-and-go bag already, but does your pet? If not, here are some ways that you can keep your furry friends safe when disaster strikes.
Make a pet disaster plan
American Red Cross disaster shelters cannot accept pets, though service animals that assist those with disabilities are allowed. This means that you should:
• Plan ahead.
• Know which hotels or motels outside your immediate area accept pets.
• Ask relatives or friends outside the affected area if they would keep your pet(s).
• Keep a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians who can shelter animals in an emergency.
• Keep a list of pet-friendly places handy. If you have notice of a disaster, call for reservations.
Have a pet disaster supplies kit
Include medications and medical records, first aid kit, sturdy leash, harness, pet carrier, current photo of pet, food, water, bowls, cat litter pan, can opener, pet bed and toys. Also include your veterinarian's number.
If you receive a disaster warning
• Call ahead to confirm shelter arrangements for you and your pet(s).
• Bring all pets into the house.
• Make sure dogs and cats are wearing secure collars with up-to-date identification.
• If you aren't at home, ask if a neighbor will get your pet(s) and meet you at a prearranged location.
These are just the most basic tips to get you started. The American Red Cross and the Humane Society of the United States have put together some very extensive information that all owners could benefit from, whether they're responsible for a snake, bird or even a farm animal.
• Pets and Disaster: Be Prepared
• Pets: First Aid
• Farm Animals: Preparedness
And this AT post has more excellent links for putting together a pet emergency survival kit.
So have you taken a pet first aid course? Do you have a pet disaster plan? And, most important, have you ever had to put it into action?
Images: Humane Society of Oregon, RedCrossPDX
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If you have a pet sitter when you're on vacation, make sure they know this stuff too, and that they know where the emergency kit is kept. That helps if for some reason your home becomes uninhabitable and your sitter has to take your pet on the road.
My suggestion is to find out how your pet travels best. Even though I'm a seasoned and practiced evacuee, my pet cat had never had to evacuate from New Orleans until the past weekend with Hurricane Gustav. He yowled in his cage for the first 4 hours, soiling his cage with fright. Once we figured out that he did better out of the cage and felt safer in a dark small space up front near me, lying on the floor of the passenger seat, he calmed down. (I also left the litter box open for his use in the backseat.)
On the way back, I heard no meows of complaint once he got the routine down.
I also suggest bringing pet treats along...
After the China earthquake a few months ago, I put together earthquake kits for the dogs (in addition to a separate one for me). It has dog first aid items, spare dog food and water, boots for walking through debris, and a toy. I feel better knowing I'm prepared for them too.
this must be a joke.
this article is a joke, right?
i guess the joke is on me for believing this website is about apartments and the design of their interiors.
my bad.
but seriously... enough with the pets
Headzo...its "pet month" so you're gonna see a lot of pet-related posts until October...and this site has always been much farther reaching than just the "design of [apartments'] interiors"
Maybe you should read another design blog for the month of September, Headzo.
Hi! I actually just bought my own pet kit from this website
www.firstaidlive.com
it was soo affordable, and it is filled wth everything! i keep it in my trunk with my other kit i got from this site
If you and your pets evacuate to a shelter, make sure you take a crate or some other way to confine them. I volunteered at a Red Cross shelter during Hurricane Rita; it accepted pets, but only if they had their own crates/cages. They were kept in a loading area away from the main sleeping quarters for evacuees. Without crates/cages they had to stay in the car or their owners had to find some other place for them. It was far from ideal, and many people didn't realize it beforehand. They just showed up with their pets on leashes or in their arms. You also need to bring your own pet food since that isn't provided. The post says the shelters don't take pets, but some do accept them if they get help from the city, volunteers or the local Humane Society/ASPCA. Don't rely on it, though.
Another thing people don't realize is that sometimes shelters do not provide any kind of cots/air mattresses/bedding so you should take your own just in case.
Palindrome -- You're right, some shelters DO have partnerships in place. Here in Portland, the Red Cross works with some of the county animal control offices to keep pets nearby -- but not inside -- shelters. But, as you also said, this is an exception and not always available...definitely don't plan for that to be the case.
Headzo -- As others mentioned, it's pet month on AT. And if people have pets in their homes, they need to be prepared for what to do in case of an emergency. Part of creating a nice place to live -- for people or pets -- is also making it safe.
Thank you for that website danieeee. Just what I need for my two cats.
seriously, im getting really pissed off at the nincompoops who aren't reading. On almost every post, theres some d/b complaining "why you talkin' bout pets so much a der der der?" Last month, people were complaining about ice cream. How about actually absorbing what you're reading, damnit.
How very very sad I would be if I had to leave this dog and cat for whatever reason. Just look at that dogs face and tell be you couold walk away during a emergency.
The sad part of all this, is my cat runs behind the washer and dryer if the fire alarm goes off and there is no getting her out during a fire. I need to figure out how to block her from doing that. Be ready for the worst ahead of time!!!
I'm really surprised at all the anti pet post. Did food/cooking or child related create such a response before Kitchn and OhDeeDoh were created?
I find this very helpful. I have three cats and am concerned about their safety. I'm in Texas and we get tornadoes and wind storms.
Thanks for all this information, I really appreciate it.
the people bitching about the animal related posts need to stop reading if they are so immature they can't deal with it. it's ONE month. there are still plenty of non-animal related posts going on. if you can't get SOMETHING worthy out out of reading this month, then don't read again until october and let the rest of us enjoy the site. stop making jerky comments about it like spoiled brats. not all posts can appeal to everyone. when i see something that doesn't relate to my taste, my interest, and i don't think i can take anything from it, i simply skip over them till i see the ones that do. it's REALLY easy.
ps. i find in especially offensive someone would complain on a post about how to save pets lives in a time of emergency. it's insensitive and uncalled for.
pss. PLEASE POST MANY MANY MORE POSTS ABOUT ANIMALS!
Then don't click on Pet stuff if you don't like it Headzo. I'm tired of people being stoupid.
I completely agree with dM.
Pets are members of the family!
Another type of disaster to consider is *fire*. My apartment caught on fire once and I was SO lucky the firemen arrived to save me. I spent the entire time I should have been evacuating, running around trying to catch my cat. I did not even stop to call 911, first. I simply kept chasing her until the firemen arrived and made me leave. Luckily, she was OK. I can't stress it enough, make a fire plan that includes a plan for how to handle scared pets. It's VERY easy to panic.