HURRICANE KATRINA BRINGS POWERFUL MESSAGE OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PET OWNERS
CANOGA PARK, CA – (September 1, 2005) – As animal welfare organizations struggle to meet the needs of the hundreds of animals displaced by Hurricane Katrina, J9'sK9s Dog Training urges Southern California pet owners to evaluate current emergency preparedness plans – including what to do with pets.
While Southern California is fortunate to not experience hurricanes, it does experience earthquakes. Whether it’s a large-scale natural catastrophe or an unforeseen emergency, everyone can benefit from a well thought out household evacuation plan. When planning ahead, keep in mind the following:
If you need to evacuate your home, do not leave your pets behind. They are not
likely to survive on their own. For public heath reasons, most emergency
shelters do not accept pets. Do some research now to find area hotels/motels
that are pet-friendly and identify a few friends and family members who would be
willing to shelter your pets in an emergency.
Make absolutely certain that your pets wear collars with identification tags at
all times. Keep the contact information up-to-date. Consider adding a cell
phone number or number of an out-of-area friend or relative to maximize the
opportunities for an appropriate caretaker to be contacted regarding your pet.
Have your dogs and cats micro-chipped at your vet’s office or local shelter to
provide them with a permanent source of identification.
Keep an appropriately sized crate or pet carrier on-hand. In the event of an
earthquake, confining your pets in a crate will help prevent injuries from
broken glass or other foreign objects. Depending on the extent of damage to
your home, you may need the crate to keep your pet safely confined on your
property. If you do not regularly use a crate with your pets, consider
occasionally feeding them in the crate to help acclimatize them to it in
advance.
Create a Pet Survival Kit that is kept in an easily accessible place and
contains necessities like pet food, bottled water, medication, food/water bowls,
a can opener and one or more sturdy leashes. Include relevant information about
your pet such as veterinarian information and a brief medical history. Make
sure to include your contact information as well as the contact information of
any persons authorized to care for your pet in your absence. Include a current
photo of each of your pets. If space allows, include your pet’s bed and a
familiar toy to help reduce stress.
Make a list of area boarding facilities, veterinarian offices and shelters. In
the event that you are unable to return to your home right away and need
long-term care for your animals, these facilities can assist you in finding
appropriate care for your pets. If you must place your pet in temporary foster
care with a friend or boarding facility, make sure your Pet Survival Kit
accompanies him.
Keep in mind that not all emergencies take place while you are home with your
pets. Designate a nearby friend or family member who would be willing to go to
your home to check on your pets and pick them up if necessary. Make sure this
person has a key to your home and knows where to find your Pet Survival Kit.
Consider adding an Animal Rescue Sticker to your front door or window to alert
rescue personnel of the type and number of animals inside. Rescue stickers can
be purchased at most pet stores and are available free-of-charge at
www.aspca.org.
If you have no alternative but to leave your pet at home while you evacuate in
an emergency, the Humane Society of the United States offers the following
suggestions:
1. Confine your pet to a safe area inside the home. Never leave your pet chained up.
2. Leave your pet with plenty of fresh water.
3. Place a visible notice outside advising rescue personnel what pets are inside the house and where they are located. Include phone numbers for yourself, your pet’s emergency contact and the veterinarian.
4. Leave leashes, transport carriers and your Pet Survival Kit where they can easily be found.
For more information on how to best meet the needs of your animals in the event of an emergency, visit the Association for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals at www.aspca.org and the Humane Society of the United States at www.hsus.org.
©1998-2008 Janine Pierce/J9's K9s Dog Training Inc. All original work on this site is copyrighted. No portion may be copied without express written permission.
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