PET DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
If a floor, fire, hurricane or earthquake should strike are you prepared to take care of your pets?
We suggest a Pet Disaster Plan, which includes making up a PET SURVIVAL KIT that is stored somewhere
you can locate it in a hurry. Here are some tips that will give your pets the best chance of surviving
whatever nature throws your way.
GOOD IDENTIFICATION
Make sure your pet has a good and current ID. Many pets are wearing an ID tag but the information
is not up to date.
Your pet will probably survive a disaster even if they are separated from your family, but will you
ever see them again or will they join the legions that wind up at the pet shelter. That's why pets
should always wear a collar and identification tags.
Ask your veterinarian about permanent identification that can't slip
off, such as a tattoo or imbedded microchip. Two
companies are leading the way in microchip implants:
- Avid http://www.avidid.com/pets/ has
a program called PetTrac, which is in place
in the United States, England and Mexico and is rapidly being
adopted in most of Europe.
- Schering-Plough manufactures a microchip called
HOME AGAIN. For a list of vets which do this
procedure visit their web site at http://usa.spah.com/usa/search/vets.cfm.
As a part of your disaster kit make up a temporary ID tags to put on your pet if you're forced to
evacuate. The information on your pet's permanent ID isn't of much use if you aren't home to answer
the phone. We suggest using the type of key tags that you can jot a current number on,
along with perhaps a cell phone number or the number of a relative.
MEDICAL INFORMATION
Place in the kit your pet's current medical and shot record. During a disaster your pet may come in contact with sick animals, contaminated water or disease carrying insects.
Be sure to include the name and phone number of your pet's veterinarian.
DUPLICATE RECORDS
Make up a complete set of medical records, pet identification numbers,
your veterinarians name and phone number, your pets feeding instructions,
and a recent picture of your pet. Leave these duplicate records with a
pet-loving friend -- it's a good idea for someone else to know about your
pet should anything happen to you, even in a more common crisis such as
an auto accident.
PET DISASTER KIT
In addition to the above, your kit should contain pet restraints for your
car, a leash. Harnesses work better than collars at keeping panicky pets
safe, but crates work best of all. A pet shipping container would be a
nice addition especially for cats as they will keep pets safe and give
you more options for housing your pet away from home.
Your kit should contain a muzzle even though your pet is normally
gentle and friendly. Frightened -- or injured! -- Dogs and cats are
more likely to bite.
Keep several days' worth of food and safe drinking water as well as
any necessary medicines packed in your disaster kit. If your pet eats
canned food, be sure to keep an extra can opener and spoon tucked in
among the emergency supplies.
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