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• Archived Blog Post

  Date / Time: 10/4/2009 10:33 PM UTC

  Disaster Planning and Your Pet By Alanna Parke Kvale
  

  
  Natural disasters can happen anywhere, anytime and we all need to be prepared. For pet owners, this requires extra supplies, planning and care.
  Just a few weeks ago Hurricane Fay slammed Florida, and then Gustav sailed into the Gulf, destruction following in its wake. Then along came Hannah, Ike and Josephine. This translates into an evacuation of tens of thousands of people and their pets.
  After Hurricane Fay, Laura Bevan, director of the Southeast Regional Office of the Humane Society of the U.S. urged residents along the coast to prepare for the possibility of evacuation orders and to prepare a pet disaster kit. “If it’s not safe for you, it’s not safe for them,” she said.
  Thanks to early planning, residents of the New Orleans area were able to avoid what happened during Hurricane Katrina. Literally tens of thousands of dogs, cats and other pets were abandoned, leading to tragedy for many families.
  The lessons learned have been applied in places like the Shreveport Fair Grounds, the largest of three mass evacuation shelters in Louisiana. Thanks to volunteers from many humane organizations, local veterinarians’ offices and even Department of Correction inmates, there was round the clock care to hundreds of animals.
  Officials set up animal shelters in close proximity to the human shelters, making it possible for pet owners to visit, feed and walk their animal companions. During that crisis, it was a comfort to everyone concerned.
  Whether the danger is from hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fire or flooding, every pet owner should be prepared by putting together a disaster supply kit for each pet. Here’s what you need:
  *Medications and medical records stored in waterproof containers.
  *Leashes, collars and carriers to transport pets. All animals should be confined in a carrier so they can’t escape and come to harm. Make sure all contact info is included for each carrier.
  *Blankets or old towels to use as bedding inside the carriers, along with some toys.
  *A three-day supply of food and water per pet, along with bowls, litter box and litter and a manually operated can opener.
  *Grooming items, paper towels, plastic trash bags and newspapers.
  *Recent photos of your pet and descriptions, just in case you are separated.
  *Make sure your pet is always wearing up-to-date identification. To be on the safe side, in case you must leave your home, include the phone number of a relative or friend outside your area.
  Even if you think the evacuation will only last a few hours, take your animals with you. There’s no way of predicting how long it will take and animals left behind are in danger. You may not be able to go back for them later. Never leave an animal chained outside during a disaster. By the same token, do not turn your animals loose to fend for themselves. They will be at the mercy of predators, exposure to the elements and even starvation. Even animals left inside your home may be able to escape through broken windows or doors.
  Many evacuation shelters do not allow animals, so plan ahead and find some safe place where you, your family and your pets will be welcome. Besides friends and family, outside your area, check with motels and hotels to see if they allow pets during emergencies. Many veterinarians’ offices will board animals in times of emergency.
  More than 1,000 tornadoes are recorded every year in the U.S. and have been recorded in every single state. There is very little warning for a tornado and virtually no time for evacuation. Preparedness is everything in this case. So, if you must weather the storm in your own home, find the safest place, a bathroom or large closet, some place away from outside walls and glass windows. Confine your cat to a carrier. When frightened, cats will hide in places almost impossible for you to reach. Keep your dog securely on a leash. As with any emergency, keep food, water and medications in waterproof containers.
  In case you’re at work or otherwise away from home during a disaster, you’ll need back-up help with your animals. Provide a neighbor with a key to your home and make sure they know where you keep your disaster supply kits. Check with your pet sitting service ahead of time about disaster planning.
  Disasters happen every day, but with preparation, you and your pet can weather any storm and make it through together.
  
  
  
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  • Pets and disasters
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