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http://www.uan.org/ears/tips.html or contact uan@registervisitor.org
UAN REMINDS FAMILIES TO INCLUDE ANIMALS IN EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
PLANS
Earlier this week, the federal government announced that the United
States was back on "orange" alert status for terrorist attack. This
heightened alert, as well as the apparent certainty that we are
headed to war, prompts all of us to think about our family disaster
preparedness plans. And for those of us who are fortunate enough to
include animal companions within our households, we want to be sure
to include them in our disaster plans.
Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge announced this week that he has
assembled an emergency supply kit for his three Golden retrievers,
which includes a three-day supply of food and water for the dogs.
That's a good start, although UAN's Emergency Animal Rescue Service
program typically recommends at least a week's supply of food and
water for each animal in the household as extra security.
The threat of terrorist or biochemical attack raises special concerns
for both humans and animals alike. But some biological agents that
might be used by terrorist are less of a worry. For example, dogs and
cats are at a lower risk from anthrax and have no risk from smallpox.
And cats are very susceptible to bubonic plague, while dogs are less
so.
For more information on biochemical agents and infectious disease and
how they affect animals, visit the website of the American Veterinary
Medical Association http://www.avma.org/press/biosecurity/default.asp
This site includes fact sheets on specific diseases such as anthrax
and the plague as well as links to state Department of Agriculture
resources with more specific regional information. The UAN website
also has a special advisory section with specific information on
anthrax at http://ww.uan.org/ears/anthrax.html and on the West Nile
Virus at http://www.uan.org/ears/westnile.html
In addition, the following are some more basic tips from UAN's EARS
program on how to prepare your animal companions for disasters. These
tips can apply to any type of disaster, be it a terrorist attack or
the threat of natural disaster such as flood, hurricane or tornado.
Please also visit the UAN website at
http://www.uan.org/ears/tips.html for more detailed information and
disaster preparedness tip sheets for specific types of aninmals.
ANIMAL DISASTER PREPAREDNESS TIPS
1. In addition to your regular supply of animal food have at least a
week's supply of food and water on hand for each animal in your
household. You should also include any favorite treats that your
animals like, which can be a comfort to them during the stressful
time that follows a disaster. Be sure to rotate the water at least
once every other month. It is important to not let animals drink
flood water or any other water sources that may be contaminated as a
result of a disaster.
2. If an animal is on long term medication, always keep a backup
supply on hand, since a veterinary office may not be open for some
time following a disaster. If the medication needs to be
refrigerated, keep an ice chest on hand to store it in, in case the
electricity is off and you are unable to use your refrigerator. If
you need ice, you can usually get it from a Red Cross shelter.
3. Always keep a collar and tag on those animals that should normally
wear collars. You may want to consider tattooing or microchipping
your animals as a more permanent form of identification.
4. Start a buddy system with someone in your neighborhood, so that
they will check on your animals during a disaster in case you aren't
home. Agree to do the same thing for them. (Note: After the terrorist
attacks of 9-11, many New York city residents were scrambling to find
ways to check on their animals who were left behind in their
apartments that day.)
5. Have a way to contain your animals in case you are relocated from
your home. For cats, have a cat carrier to evacuate each cat in your
household. (In an emergency, a pillowcase is an alternate way to
transport a cat.) For dogs, have a leash for each dog. (A harness is
also helpful in case a dog panic and tries to slip out of her or her
collar.) Stake-out lines are also helpful for dogs if you are going
to be relocated for a longer period of time.
6. Have photos of all of your animals to take with you if you have to
evacuate. These pictures can help reunite you with a lost animal.
7. Identify several possible locations where you can take your
animals should you have to evacuate. These could include boarding
kennels, veterinary clinics, grooming facilities, hotels and motels,
and the homes of family and friends.
8. Know where the animal shelters or animal rescue organizations are
in your area. You may need to visit them after a disaster to look
for a missing animal.
9. Include some toys for your animals in your supply kit. Animals
who are confined for long periods of time can become bored and/or
stressed.
10. Be sure and comfort your animals during a disaster. They are
frightened too, and having you near to give them a hug will help. It
will probably do a lot to help you too.
Posted on SHARE Yahoo group - Mar. 24, 2003