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Emergency Prep Guide
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Emergency Prep Guide



Issue #2






How To Prepare For A Pet Emergency



Introduction

Our Emergency Prep Guide is intended to offer you suggestions and tips on how to prepare for and survive a variety of possible emergencies with which you might be confronted at home, in your office or workplace, and on the road. What you should do and the things you might need to have on hand. While there are some obvious similarities among different kinds of emergency...for example a possible power outage might well occur alone, or during a hurricane, forest fire, snowstorm or flood...each kind of emergency brings with it certain unique needs.

In the coming weeks, we will try to cover those unique preparation needs...for a Quick Escape Emergency Evacuation, for a Road Emergency, for a Prolonged Blackout, for a Sudden Severe Storm, for a Bird Flu Pandemic.

You can download and print out your own copy of this and future issues. We will also archive all issues, so you can access any you may have missed, download and print them out as well.

Pets

In the U.S., pets outnumber humans by about 60 million. 63% of all households own a pet, 45% own more than one. We own an estimated 73 million dogs, 90 million cats. We spend over $1500 per year on a dog, over $900 on a cat, including the vet, food, boarding, grooming, vitamins, treats and toys. There are no estimates for emergency supplies.

Hurricane Katrina was a wake-up call for emergency preparation, not only for ourselves but also for our pets.

Of an estimated 250,000 pets left behind in New Orleans, only about 15,000 were rescued. These suffered from heartworm disease, internal and external parasites, dehydration, trauma, wounds from debris and standing water, malnutrition, lethargy and exhaustion, according to the American Veterinary medical Association.

  • Don’t leave your pets behind if you have any choice.

    What to do:

  • Include your pet(s) in your emergency plan. We talked in Issue # 1 about the importance of having a plan, writing it down, making sure everyone in the household understands it, and rehearsing it. The plan should include your pets.
  • Keep pet license and shots up to date.
  • Make sure that collar ID and Rabies tags are worn at all times. ID should include cell phone number, as well as any temporary shelter address you might have. Can apply tape to back of ID tag and write with permanent marker.
  • Have a list handy of all boarding possibilities (including friends/relatives) out of the immediate hazard area. Most emergency shelters will not allow pets other than service animals that assist people with disabilities.
  • Bring pets indoors well ahead of a natural disaster.
  • Prepare an indoor area in which pets can stay. Should be an area easy to clean; away from breaking glass, wind, noise; and have adequate food and water. If danger of flooding, area should be as high as possible and/or allow access to a high place.
  • Keep a sturdy leash available for each pet.
  • If possible, keep cats and dogs separate. They may get along with each other in normal times, but emergencies are not normal times.
  • Keep pets securely leashed when outside home and car. Emergencies are stressful times, and frightened pets may panic and attempt to escape.
  • Have pet emergency supplies ready to take along on short notice.

    What you need:

  • Food. Dry, preferably vacuum packed. If wet food, be sure to have a can opener. Enough for at least 72 hours.
  • Water. In sealed pouches or sealed gallon jugs. Enough for 72 hours.
  • Food/water bowl(s).
  • Medications. If your pet is on medication(s), have a 2-week supply.
  • Toys. One or two favorites.
  • Crate(s). A sturdy pet carrier.
  • Plastic bags for waste. Litter box and litter for cat(s).
  • Photo for identification if pet is lost.
  • Pet First Aid Kit.
  • Backpack or 5 gallon covered pail to hold the above.

    Conclusion


    The key to surviving any emergency is preparation. If you have to be an emergency statistic, be one of the good ones…survivors. Remember...have a Plan for what to do, write it down, make sure everyone knows the Plan, rehearse it. No Plan will cover every possible contingency, but we’ll do our best to cover most of them with tips and suggestions for what to do and what you might need in order for you, your loved ones, and your pets to survive an emergency. Good luck, and stay safe!





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