PREPAREDNESS FOR YOUR FOUR-LEGGED BABIES

11/2/2020 (Permalink)

Have you included your fur baby in your emergency planning?

Have you accounted for your Sammi, Charli, and Bleu when emergency planning?  According to the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (la-spca.org), after Hurricane Katrina, “It’s estimated that over 15,500 animals were ultimately rescued.  Of the 15,500 animals rescued, only 15%-20% were ever reunited with their owners.”

Pets are just as important as any family member to most people, so why would you not make them part of your preparedness planning?  There are many things you can do to make certain they stay safe as well during an emergency.

Prepare a Pet Emergency Kit to include the following items:

• At least a 3-day supply of food in an airtight, waterproof container.
• At least 3 days of water specifically for your pets.
• Medicines and Medical Records
• Important Documents such as registration information, adoption papers and vaccination documents.
• Talk with your veterinarian about microchipping and enrolling your pet in a recovery database.
• A First Aid Kit containing cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors; antibiotic ointment; flea and tick prevention; latex gloves, isopropyl alcohol, and saline solution.
• Collar or harness with ID tag, rabies tag, and a leash
• Crate or pet carrier
• Sanitation (pet litter and litter box, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach)
• A current picture of you and your pet together in case you become separated
• Familiar items such as treats, toys and bedding to reduce stress

While practicing fire escape or evacuation plans, be certain to include your pets.  If an evacuation happens, please do not leave pet behind as they can be lost or injured.

When planning for your family’s emergencies, please be sure to take your four-legged babies into consideration.  Visit ready.gov/animals for further tips and safety precautions to consider for your family’s pets during a disaster.