Get Ready Now.
If you are like millions of animal owners nationwide,
your pet is an important member of your household. The
likelihood that you and your animals will survive an
emergency such as a fi re or fl ood, tornado or terrorist
attack depends largely on emergency planning done today.
Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected,
such as assembling an animal emergency supply kit and
developing a pet care buddy system, are the same for
any emergency. Whether you decide to stay put in an emergency
or evacuate to a safer location, you will need to make
plans in advance for your pets. Keep in mind that what's
best for you is typically what's best for your animals.
If you must evacuate, take your pets with you if possible.
However, if you are going to a public shelter, it is
important to understand that animals may not be allowed
inside. Plan in advance for shelter alternatives that
will work for both you and your pets.
Make a back-up emergency plan in case you can't care
for your animals yourself. Develop a buddy system with
neighbors, friends and relatives to make sure that someone
is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you
are unable to do so. Be prepared to improvise and use
what you have on hand to make it on your own for at least
three days, maybe longer.
Preparing for the unexpected makes sense. Get Ready
Now.
This information was developed by the U.S. Department
of Homeland Security in consultation with: American Kennel
Club, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals, American Veterinary Medical Association,
and The Humane Society of the U.S.
1) Prepare - Get a Pet Emergency Supply Kit.
Just as you do with your family's emergency supply kit,
think first about the basics for survival, particularly
food and water. Consider two kits. In one, put everything
you and your pets will need to stay where you are. The
other should be a lightweight, smaller version you can
take with you if you and your pets have to get away.
Plus, be sure to review your kits regularly to ensure
that their contents, especially foods and medicines,
are fresh.
Food. Keep at least three days of food in an
airtight, waterproof container.
Water. Store at least three days of water specifically
for your pets in addition to water you need for yourself
and your family.
Medicines and medical records. Keep an extra
supply of medicines your pet takes on a regular basis
in a waterproof container.
First aid kit. Talk to your veterinarian about
what is most appropriate for your pet's emergency medical
needs. Most kits should include cotton bandage rolls,
bandage tape and scissors; antibiotic ointment; flea
and tick prevention; latex gloves, isopropyl alcohol
and saline solution. Include a pet first aid reference
book.
Collar with ID tag, harness or leash. Your pet
should wear a collar with its rabies tag and identification
at all times. Include a backup leash, collar and ID tag
in your pet's emergency supply kit. In addition, place
copies of your pet's registration information, adoption
papers, vaccination documents and medical records in
a clean plastic bag or waterproof container and also
add them to your kit. You should also consider talking
with your veterinarian about permanent identification
such as microchipping, and enrolling your pet in a recovery
database.
Crate or other pet carrier. If you need to evacuate
in an emergency situation take your pets and animals
with you provided that it is practical to do so. In many
cases, your ability to do so will be aided by having
a sturdy, safe, comfortable crate or carrier ready for
transporting your pet. The carrier should be large enough
for your pet to stand, turn around and lie down.
Sanitation. Include pet litter and litter box
if appropriate, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash
bags and household chlorine bleach to provide for your
pet's sanitation needs. You can use bleach as a disinfectant
(dilute nine parts water to one part bleach), or in an
emergency you can also use it to purify water. Use 16
drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of
water. Do not use scented or color safe bleaches, or
those with added cleaners.
A picture of you and your pet together. If you
become separated from your pet during an emergency, a
picture of you and your pet together will help you document
ownership and allow others to assist you in identifying
your pet. Include detailed information about species,
breed, age, sex, color and distinguishing characteristics.
Familiar items. Put favorite toys, treats or
bedding in your kit. Familiar items can help reduce stress
for your pet.
2) Plan - What You Will Do in an Emergency.
Be prepared to assess the situation. Use whatever
you have on hand to take care of yourself and ensure
your pet's safety during an emergency. Depending on your
circumstances and the nature of the emergency the first
important decision is whether you stay put or get away.
You should understand and plan for both possibilities.
Use common sense and the information you are learning
here to determine if there is immediate danger.
In any emergency, local authorities may or may not immediately
be able to provide information on what is happening and
what you should do. However, watch TV, listen to the
radio or check the Internet for instructions. If you're
specifically told to evacuate, shelter-in-place or seek
medical treatment, do so immediately.
Create a plan to get away. Plan how you will
assemble your pets and anticipate where you will go.
If you must evacuate, take your pets with you if practical.
If you go to a public shelter, keep in mind your animals
may not be allowed inside. Secure appropriate lodging
in advance depending on the number and type of animals
in your care. Consider family or friends willing to take
in you and your pets in an emergency. Other options may
include: a hotel or motel that takes pets or a boarding
facility, such as a kennel or veterinary hospital that
is near an evacuation facility or your family's meeting
place. Find out before an emergency happens if any of
these facilities in your area might be viable options
for you and your pets.
Develop a buddy system. Plan with neighbors,
friends or relatives to make sure that someone is available
to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to
do so. Talk with your pet care buddy about your evacuation
plans and show them where you keep your pet's emergency
supply kit. Also designate specific locations, one in
your immediate neighborhood and another farther away,
where you will meet in an emergency.
Talk to your pet's veterinarian about emergency planning. Discuss
the types of things that you should include in your pet's
emergency first aid kit. Get the names of vets or veterinary
hospitals in other cities where you might need to seek
temporary shelter. You should also consider talking with
your veterinarian about permanent identification such
as microchipping, and enrolling your pet in a recovery
database. If your pet is microchipped, keeping your emergency
contact information up to date and listed with a reliable
recovery database is essential to your being reunited
with your pet.
Gather contact information for emergency animal treatment.
Make a list of contact information and addresses of area
animal control agencies including the Humane Society
or SPCA, and emergency veterinary hospitals. Keep one
copy of these phone numbers with you and one in your
pet's emergency supply kit. Obtain "Pets Inside" stickers
and place them on your doors or windows, including information
on the number and types of pets in your home to alert
firefighters and rescue workers. Consider putting a phone
number on the sticker where you could be reached in an
emergency. And, if time permits, remember to write the
words "Evacuated with Pets" across the stickers, should
you flee with your pets.
3) Stay Informed - Know About Types of Emergencies
Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected,
such as assembling an emergency supply kit for yourself,
your family and your pets, is the same regardless of
the type of emergency. However, it's important to stay
informed about what might happen and know what types
of emergencies are likely to affect your region as well
as emergency plans that have been established by your
state and local government. For more information about
how to prepare, visit www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY.
Be prepared to adapt this information to your personal
circumstances and make every effort to follow instructions
received from authorities on the scene. With these simple
preparations, you can be ready for the unexpected. Those
who take the time to prepare themselves and their pets
will likely encounter less difficulty, stress and worry.
Take the time now to get yourself and your pet ready.
Preparing for Your Pets Makes Sense. Get Ready Now. |
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