| As the heartbreaking photos from Hurricane | | | | kennel. If you know the rules and can prepare for |
| Katrina taught us, leaving pets behind during an | | | | them, you won’t be turned away at the last |
| emergency can be a death sentence for them. | | | | minute. |
| While, obviously, the welfare of people must be | | | | Some emergencies provide enough notice that |
| considered before pets, with a little advance | | | | residents of the threatened area can evacuate |
| planning, you will be less likely to have to choose | | | | ahead of the danger. If you are a pet owner, this |
| between your own safety and that of your pets. | | | | is the best option for you. |
| Here are some tips to make sure that your pets | | | | When you leave prior to a hurricane or flooding, |
| are safe and happy during an emergency. | | | | then you are giving your pet the best chance to |
| Supplies | | | | not be left behind. As part of this type of |
| Just as you need to keep extra supplies for the | | | | planning, you should find a pet-friendly hotel in the |
| human members of your family, the same is true | | | | area in which you’d like to evacuate. At the |
| for the things that you pets need. Keep extra | | | | first sign of danger, make a reservation. You can |
| food, kitty litter, medication and anything else that | | | | always cancel if you choose not to evacuate, but |
| your pet might need. It is also a good idea to | | | | waiting to make the reservation could mean that |
| keep “go kit” that is just for your pets. | | | | the hotel will be booked by the time you make |
| Such a kit should contain at least a two week | | | | your decision. |
| supply of food and any items you may need to | | | | Microchipping |
| care for your pets on the go including bowls, | | | | Having a microchip placed in your dog or cat |
| water and other items. | | | | offers the best chance of you one day being |
| Keeping a go kit ready means that you won’t | | | | reunited with your pet should an emergency |
| accidentally leave an important item behind should | | | | situation separate you. After every hurricane |
| you need to flee in a hurry. | | | | there are hundreds of homeless pets and pet |
| EvacuationPet owners often face quite a dilemma | | | | owners searching for their lost four-legged family |
| when they are forced to evacuate. Many shelters | | | | members. Had these pets had a microchip, |
| will not accept pets (although this is changing in | | | | reuniting pets with owners would be very easy. |
| many places), so that forces owners to choose | | | | Keep in mind that you should include a phone |
| between evacuating and leaving their pets behind. | | | | number other than your home phone on the |
| Obviously, the safety of the human members of | | | | microchip company files. If your home is |
| your household must take priority, but if you plan | | | | destroyed, they will need another way to contact |
| ahead, you might not have to make such a | | | | you. Consider also listing the phone number of a |
| heartbreaking choice. | | | | friend or relative who lives out of the area. |
| As part of your emergency planning, you should | | | | Preparing to care for your pets in an emergency |
| get a list of all of the places that would be used | | | | is just as important as planning for your own |
| as shelters in your area. Call around to see if any | | | | safety. With a little care ahead of time, you and |
| of them take pets. If so, you’ll need to get a | | | | your pets will be better able to survive any |
| list of their rules and limitations. Some will only | | | | disaster. |
| allow one pet, others require the pets to be in a | | | | |