| Disaster preparation saves more than human lives. | | | | area. |
| It also saves the lives of those other family | | | | A quick checklist as you prepare to evacuate is |
| members endowed with fur, feather or scale. The | | | | essential to a smooth transition in exiting your |
| time to plan is now, before the danger is | | | | home. Bring along your pets collar and |
| imminent. It is important that your pet has a | | | | identification, medications and updated photos in |
| current identification and/or rabies license tag | | | | the event your pet gets lost. To ease your pets |
| attached to a collar. Should you and your pet | | | | anxiety also bring along a familiar toy, the pet's |
| become separated, these identification tags will | | | | bed or blanket. You should include plastic bags and |
| help insure a quick reunion. Many Wal-Mart stores | | | | scoopers, cat litter, bird seed and food bowls with |
| contain a metal tag printing machine that allows | | | | at least a two-week supply of water and food |
| you to print a pet identification tag for under | | | | and a MANUAL can-opener. The aftermath of a |
| $5.00. | | | | disaster can leave an enormous amount of |
| You will also need to have a way to properly | | | | devastation and returning home may not be |
| transport your pet, be it in a carrier or crate. | | | | possible right away. |
| These should be large enough to allow your pet | | | | Horse and livestock owners are also encouraged |
| to stand and turn around. If considering to shelter | | | | to have an evacuation and shelter plan. It is a rule |
| your pet, most shelters are operating over | | | | of thumb that trailing animals out of harms way |
| capacity and your pet may have to remain in its | | | | should take place 72 hours if possible, so not to |
| carrier for long periods. Whereas dogs can be | | | | jeopardize the possibility of getting caught in |
| walked, cats cannot, so your cat carrier should be | | | | evacuation traffic. A 1000 lb. horse should have 5 |
| large enough to contain a litter box. | | | | gallons of water and at least 20 lbs. of hay a day. |
| If you are planning on sheltering your pet it is | | | | It is best to take the time to acclimate your |
| absolutely necessary that your pet's vaccinations | | | | animal to the trailer it will be carried in to avoid |
| are up-to-date as most boarding facilities will not | | | | having a frightened and unruly animal who could |
| accept your pet without them. Now is also the | | | | force you to leave it behind. You may need to |
| time to check with your local county emergency | | | | rent a trailer or truck to haul your livestock. Take |
| management office to verify if there will be a | | | | time now to reserve whatever you will be |
| pet-friendly shelter in your area. Pet shelters fill up | | | | needing, chances of it being available when the |
| quickly on a first come, first serve basis. Call | | | | danger is close is nil. Locating a facility out of |
| ahead of the storm and determine availability. | | | | harms way is very important. If you do not have |
| Public shelters do not allow pets. However, the | | | | friends or relatives to harbor you and your |
| Red Cross does allow service animals for disabled | | | | livestock, check with your local veterinarian for |
| persons. | | | | suggestions or even go to Craigslist online to look |
| Contact friends and relatives about the possibility | | | | for potential shelters. |
| of taking in your pet. Consider surveying boarding | | | | A crucial time to monitor your pet is after the |
| kennels or veterinarian clinics in different areas of | | | | emergency passes. Returning home is a time or |
| your state to compile a list of those that would | | | | re-orientation. Familiar scents and landmarks may |
| be a safe-haven for your pet during a disaster. If | | | | be virtually changed and your pet may be |
| you still cannot locate a shelter in your area, you | | | | confused with the new environment. It is a good |
| will need to consider taking your pet with you. | | | | idea to leash your dogs and keep cats inside. |
| Taking your pet with you also comes with its | | | | Power lines can be down and reptiles or debris |
| own measure of preparation. Animals sense the | | | | could pose a threat. Allow your pets to become |
| heightened anxiety that you feel as well as the | | | | re-oriented to their surroundings. |
| change in the natural elements or the nature of | | | | Make your phone calls now to secure your pet |
| the emergency evolves. Be prepared to handle | | | | evacuation plans. Pack a plastic storage container |
| your pet's anxiety with as much calm as you can | | | | for safe keeping ahead of time and include your |
| muster. Be reassuring as you go about your | | | | pet photos, leashes, immunization papers, food, |
| evacuation plan. If you do not have family or | | | | paper, plastic and utensil items that will be |
| friends to stay with, it is certain you will be looking | | | | necessary for each pet. Then you can grab and |
| for a pet-friendly hotel. A great place to start | | | | go when the time comes. If you do not need to |
| looking is online at Pet where you can find pet | | | | evacuate you've lost nothing as all items can be |
| welcoming hotels and motels. Be sure to check | | | | used and you have certainly kept peace of mind. |
| for restrictions on size and number. Many times a | | | | Creating an evacuation plan now for your pet |
| "no pet" policy or restrictions are waived in an | | | | family members will give you the head start to |
| emergency. Exotic pets like parrots, ferrets, | | | | success and survival that will keep all the family |
| reptiles and fish are more sensitive to | | | | together in good times or bad. Take responsibility |
| environmental changes and should really be placed | | | | for making sure your family and your pet are |
| with friends or a shelter outside the threatened | | | | safe from danger. Don't delay, prepare now. |