Hurricane Katrina taught us the hard way that the safety of our
animals must be made a priority in the event of a disaster. We know we must
make preparations now--before the storm-- in order to avoid chaos and confusion
later. The following guidelines are designed to help you make these
preparations to ensure the welfare of your pets this hurricane season.
1) EVACUATE WITH YOUR ANIMALS!
Acquire appropriately sized pet carriers for each animal. If your
pet is unaccustomed to traveling in a carrier, do some trial runs, so the
experience will not be completely new when you evacuate. Label each carrier
with your contact information, and the name of the pet inside. Boarding
facilities do not evacuate. Your pet will be in the storm. If you must board them
try to find a boarding facility close to where you are evacuating to.
2) PROVIDE FOR THE NEEDS OF YOUR PETS DURING AND AFTER THE
EVACUATION.
Create a Pet Evacuation Kit so that everything they need is packed
and ready to go in the event of an evacuation. See below for our list of
recommended provisions for your pet’s kit.
3) MAKE SURE YOUR PET IS UP TO DATE ON ALL VACCINATIONS.
Ideally, you will be able to keep your animals with you throughout
the evacuation process; but in the event that they must be boarded at a
shelter, vet, or other boarding facility, your animal must be current on all
vaccinations to be admitted. You will be required to show proof of these
vaccinations. Ask your vet for a copy of your pet’s vaccination record,
including a current rabies license and tag.
4) HAVE YOUR PET MICROCHIPPED.
We highly recommend this animal identification and tracking
system. A tiny microchip is injected under the animal’s skin, where it remains
for the duration of your pet’s life. The chip poses no threat to your pet’s
health, and the injection is quick and relatively painless, much like the
vaccination process. Your pet’s personal identification number is read by a
scanning device routinely used by most humane societies, shelters, animal
control, and veterinarians. You will then be contacted as to the location of
your pet. (At the very least, have identification tags with your pets name, your
address and phone number, securely affixed to your pet’s collar).
5) CREATE AN IDENTIFICATION FILE FOR EACH PET.
This is an insurance policy against the irrevocable loss of your
pet in the event of a disaster. The file should include current photographs of
your pet (you will have to show a photograph to have your animal released to
you from a shelter, or other holding facility; including yourself in the photos
will facilitate this process), microchip identification number, adoption
papers, a written description of your pet (feline, female, 7 years old, grey
tabby, 10 lbs., etc.), a description of your pet’s distinctive markings (white
paws, black spot on back, etc.), diet, medications, vaccination history,
behavioral issues and personality. Place the file in a water-proof folder, and
put it with your Pet Evacuation Kit.
6) SECURE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR YOUR PET BEFORE THE STORM.
Establish where your pet will be housed in the event of an
evacuation. Ideally, you will be traveling to friends or family who are willing
and able to house your pets. For many of us, other arrangements must be made.
Locate pet-friendly hotels, boarding facilities, and shelters in the area to
which you will be evacuating. Secure reservations for your animals if possible,
and get directions to the hotel or boarding facility. Dog friendly.com has lots
of hotels that accept pets. You can search by city.
ü Pet food (2 week supply;
don’t forget the manual can opener if you bring canned food!)
ü water (2 week supply)
ü pet bowls leashes
and/or harnesses medications (including heart worm preventative,
flea preventative)
ü pet carriers, labeled with
your contact information pet identification folders vaccination history
(including rabies license and tags)
ü medical history
ü pet first aid
kit (see
below for contents)
ü emergency contact
numbers (your
veterinarian’s phone number, for example)
ü list of pet-friendly
hotels, shelters, boarding facilities
ü Maps with evacuation routes (Contraflow maps are
available at Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Walmart locations.)
ü pet toys, pet beds,
and/or blankets
ü treats, litter box,
litter, and scoop dog-poop bags paper towels trash bags
ü flashlight, batteries
and radio
ü Alcohol Wipes
ü Antibiotic
Ointment
ü Bandage
ü Bandage
Tape
ü Cold Pack
ü Conforming
Bandages
ü Gauze Pads
(assorted sizes)
ü Iodine
ü Latex
Gloves
ü Scissors
ü Tweezers
ü Wash
Cloth
