RSS Feed
 
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Pet Chatter
The best way to get through any disaster is to have a plan in place. This should include your pets. Anyone who watched the events unfold during Hurricane Katrina realizes the tragic results that can result from a lack of planning. Pet owners cannot rely on government agencies to care for pets in a disaster zone. Your pets' emergency preparedness kit should include a minimum of three days worth of water and food for each pet and a bowl for each. Have a litter box and litter for cats. Be sure you carry photos and descriptions of your pets, registration papers (if you have them) and veterinarian records. Be sure your pets have current identification (licenses, identification tags, etc.) that include a way to contact a friend or family member outside of the area if you and your pet become separated. Leashes, harnesses, collars and carriers should be stored where they can be grabbed at a moment's notice. Have a first aid kit available. Be sure to put any medications your pet needs in the first aid kit upon evacuation. Extra blankets and towels will keep your pets warm and dry. Always keep your pet with you if you evacuate. Too many pets are left to fend for themselves during a disaster and are exposed to not only the elements, but predators. Shelters may not accept pets, so plan ahead. Look for pet-friendly hotels or relatives and friends outside the disaster area. Remember, your pets rely on you and are your responsibility. The aftermath of a disaster is often full of heartbreak. Don't let losing your pets be a part of it. Following Katrina, many organizations and lawmakers are stepping up to make sure pets are cared for in the event of emergency but the better prepared the pet owner is, the easier the evacuation will be for all involved. 'Til next time, take care of those you love -- even those with fur, feathers, fins or scales. |
for larger version       |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
){kind=small}