| Introduction | | | | marker. |
| There are 163,000,000 dogs and cats in the US, yet | | | | Have a list handy of all boarding possibilities (including |
| 65% of their owners have no plan to keep their pets | | | | friends/relatives) out of the immediate hazard area. |
| safe in an emergency. More people die in fires than in | | | | Most emergency shelters will not allow pets other than |
| hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and all other natural | | | | service animals that assist people with disabilities. |
| disasters combined, yet 85% of parents in a recent poll | | | | Bring pets indoors well ahead of a natural disaster. |
| said they do not discuss fire safety with their children. | | | | Prepare an indoor area in which pets can stay. Should |
| 72% of Americans think they have a 3-day supply of | | | | be an area easy to clean; away from breaking glass, |
| water, but only 23% know that each person needs | | | | wind, noise; and have adequate food and water. If |
| one gallon of water per day in an emergency situation. | | | | danger of flooding, area should be as high as possible |
| Begin to get the picture? Okay. Most of us are not | | | | and/or allow access to a high place. |
| really prepared for an emergency. Let's get down to | | | | Keep a sturdy leash available for each pet. |
| what it takes to survive an emergency: preparation, | | | | If possible, keep cats and dogs separate. They may |
| preparation, preparation. Last time I talked about how | | | | get along with each other in normal times, but |
| to prepare for fire. This time I want to talk about how | | | | emergencies are not normal times. |
| to prepare for a pet emergency. | | | | Keep pets securely leashed when outside home and |
| Pets | | | | car. Emergencies are stressful times, and frightened |
| In the U.S., pets outnumber humans by about 60 million. | | | | pets may panic and attempt to escape. |
| 63% of all households own a pet, 45% own more than | | | | Have pet emergency supplies ready to take along on |
| one. We own an estimated 73 million dogs, 90 million | | | | short notice. |
| cats. We spend over $1500 per year on a dog, over | | | | What you need: |
| $900 on a cat, including the vet, food, boarding, | | | | Food. Dry, preferably vacuum packed. If wet food, be |
| grooming, vitamins, treats and toys. There are no | | | | sure to have a can opener. Enough for at least 72 |
| estimates for emergency supplies. | | | | hours. |
| Hurricane Katrina was a wake-up call for emergency | | | | Water. In sealed pouches or sealed gallon jugs. Enough |
| preparation, not only for ourselves but also for our | | | | for 72 hours. |
| pets. | | | | Food/water bowl(s). |
| Of an estimated 250,000 pets left behind in New | | | | Medications. If your pet is on medication(s), have a |
| Orleans, only about 15,000 were rescued. These | | | | 2-week supply. |
| suffered from heartworm disease, internal and | | | | Toys. One or two favorites. |
| external parasites, dehydration, trauma, wounds from | | | | Crate(s). A sturdy pet carrier. |
| debris and standing water, malnutrition, lethargy and | | | | Plastic bags for waste. Litter box and litter for cat(s). |
| exhaustion, according to the American Veterinary | | | | Photo for identification if pet is lost. |
| Medical Association. | | | | Pet First Aid Kit. |
| Don't leave your pets behind if you have any choice. | | | | Backpack or 5 gallon covered pail to hold the above. |
| What to do: | | | | Conclusion |
| Include your pet(s) in your emergency plan. I always | | | | The key to surviving any emergency is preparation. If |
| talk about the importance of having a plan, writing it | | | | you have to be an emergency statistic, be one of the |
| down, making sure everyone in the household | | | | good ones...survivors. Remember...have a Plan for what |
| understands it, and rehearsing it. The plan should include | | | | to do, write it down, make sure everyone knows the |
| your pets. | | | | Plan, rehearse it. No Plan will cover every possible |
| Keep pet license and shots up to date. | | | | contingency, but we'll do our best to cover most of |
| Make sure that collar ID and Rabies tags are worn at | | | | them with tips and suggestions for what to do and |
| all times. ID should include cell phone number, as well as | | | | what you might need in order for you, your loved ones, |
| any temporary shelter address you might have. Can | | | | and your pets to survive an emergency. Good luck, |
| apply tape to back of ID tag and write with permanent | | | | and stay safe! |