Links to other sites on the Web
TAKE SEVERAL PICTURES OF ALL THE ANIMALS IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD AND KEEP THESE PICTURES WITH YOUR IMPORTANT INSURANCE PAPERS. BE SURE TO INCLUDE IN THE PICTURES ANY DISTINGUISHING MARKS. THESE PICTURES CAN HELP REUNITE YOU WITH A LOST PET. STORE THE PICTURES IN A RESEALABLE PLASTIC BAG INCASE YOU HAVE TO POST THEM DURING THE MONTHS THAT RAIN.
HAVE AT LEAST A WEEKS SUPPLY OF PET FOOD AND WATER ON HAND AT ALL TIMES FOR YOUR PETS. STORE THE DRY FOOD IN AIR TIGHT/WATER PROOF CONTAINERS. IF YOU USE CANNED FOOD, BUY THE FLIP TOP CANS IF YOU CAN OR HAVE A CAN OPENER IN YOUR DISASTER SUPPLY CONTAINER. KEEP SOME OF YOUR PETS FAVORITE TREATS ON HAND. THEY BECOME STRESSED DURING A DISASTER TOO AND A TREAT PROVIDES SOME COMFORT. ALSO KEEP A SUPPLY OF CAT LITTER FOR THE CATS IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD.
KEEP A COLLAR AND TAG ON YOUR PETS AT ALL TIMES (THIS INCLUDES CATS AND PETS THAT NEVER GO OUTDOORS). DURING A DISASTER A PET CAN ESCAPE AND A TAG INCREASES YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING THE ANIMAL BACK. ON THE TAG, INCLUDE YOUR PHONE NUMBER AND ADDRESS. REMEMBER THE PHONES MAY NOT BE WORKING, SO IN ORDER TO REUNITE YOU WITH YOUR PET AN ADDRESS IS NECESSARY. YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER TATTOOING OR MICRO CHIPPING YOUR PETS AS A MORE PERMANENT MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION.
IF YOUR DOG RIDES IN THE CAR, ALWAYS HAVE A LEASH IN THE VEHICLE. A DISASTER MAY OCCUR WHILE YOU ARE AWAY FROM HOME, AND IF YOU SHOULD HAVE TO ABANDON YOUR CAR, YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO KEEP YOUR DOG SAFELY CONTROLLED.
IF YOUR PET IS ON A LONG TERM MEDICATION, ALWAYS KEEP A BACK UP SUPPLY ON HAND. A VET MAY NOT BE OPEN FOR SOME TIME FOLLOWING A DISASTER. CHECK WITH YOUR REGULAR VET AND SEE IF THEY HAVE A DISASTER PLAN. YOUR PET MAY NEED MEDICAL ATTENTION AFTER A DISASTER AND YOU NEED TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE PREPARED TO OFFER ANY SERVICES.
HAVE A CAT CARRIER FOR EACH CAT IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD. THE CARRIER NEEDS TO BE LARGE ENOUGH TO HOLD A SHOE BOX SEE LITTER BOX, A WATER FOOD DISH, AND ROOM FOR THE CAT TO COMFORTABLY LIE DOWN
HAVE A CHAIN LEASH FOR ALL THE DOGS IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD. WALLS AND FENCES MAY COME DOWN DURING A DISASTER AND IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO KEEP YOUR DOG CONFINED ON A CHAIN LEASH UNTIL REPAIRS CAN BE MADE. BE SURE THE CHAIN IS LONG ENOUGH FOR THE DOG TO MOVE AROUND, WITHOUT GETTING TANGLED AROUND SOMETHING AND MAYBE CHOKING ITSELF. SHELTER FROM THE ELEMENTS SHOULD BE WITHIN THE DOG S REACH TOO.
IF YOUR DOG IS KEPT IN AN OUTDOOR RUN, MAKE SURE ITS IN A LOCATION WHERE FALLING DEBRIS (TREES, SHINGLES. POWER LINES, CHIMNEY BRICKS, ETC.) WONT FALL ON THE RUN AND POSSIBLY INJURE THE DOG IF SOMETHING WERE TO FALL ON THE RUN AND POSSIBLY PREVENT OPENING THE DOOR, YOU SHOULD HAVE A HEAVY DUTY WIRE CUTTER, IN CASE THE DOG WAS TRAPPED INSIDE AND HAD TO BE FREED.
Links to other sites on the Web
PREPARED BY: TERRI CRISP - DISASTER COORDINATOR UNITED ANIMAL NATIONS 408/984-6702
Get your own Free Home Page