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WILDFIRES BRING POWERFUL MESSAGE OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PET OWNERS

As animal welfare organizations struggle to meet the needs of animals displaced by the fires, J9'sK9s  Dog Training urges Southern California pet owners to evaluate current emergency preparedness plans – including what to do with pets.

 

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, many 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 a 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 handy.  If forced to evacuate quickly, you may need to confine your pets while you rush to pack your belongings and while they are away from home. In the event of an earthquake, confining your pets in a crate will help prevent injuries from broken glass or other foreign objects. 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 leave leashes, transport carriers and your Pet Survival Kit where they can easily be found. Put an Animal Rescue Sticker in a highly visible place (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.

 

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.

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