Hi SHARE Folks -
With the flooding in South Jersey this week, I wanted everyone to be aware of this wonderful resource, so I'm including some of the information from their web site - http://www.burlingtoncountypetaid.org
If you live in Burlington County, the resources listed apply especially to you. But a lot of the information is helpful to everyone. Note that near the end of the message is info on sending
donations to help the animals affected by this flood and other disasters. And check their web site for info about canine blood drives - the next one is July 24.
Maureen
Pets and Disasters: GET PREPARED
What Qualifies as a Disaster?
Disasters come in many shapes, whether a countywide disaster, a local
disaster or a small catastrophe affecting only one family. Pet owners
especially should be prepared.
A disaster is a situation that causes suffering or creates needs that
the victims cannot alleviate without assistance. Types of disasters
that could affect Burlington County, NJ include fires, hurricanes,
floods, explosions and snow emergencies.
When A Disaster Strikes...
Red Cross disaster shelters cannot accept pets (except service
animals) because of health and safety regulations, therefore, it may
be difficult, if not impossible, to find shelter for your animals in
the midst of a disaster.
So You Must Plan Ahead. Do not wait until a disaster strikes to do
your research--remember, your pet will be happiest in a familiar
environment.
When disaster strikes, always keep your pets with you. If it isn't
safe for you to stay put, it isn't safe for your pets!
If You Evacuate, Take Your Pets!
The single most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to
take them with you when you evacuate. Animals left behind in a
disaster can easily be injured, lost, or killed. Animals left inside
your home can escape through storm-damaged areas, such as broken
windows. Animals turned loose to fend for themselves are likely to
become victims of exposure, starvation, predators, contaminated food
or water, or accidents. Leaving dogs tied or chained outside in a
disaster is a death sentence.
Here are some PET AID hints on what you can do before disaster strikes:
Assemble a pet disaster supply kit including medications and medical
records (stored in a waterproof container) and a pet first aid kit;
sturdy leash, harness, and/or carrier; current photos; food, water,
bowls, cat litter/pan, and manual can opener; information on feeding
schedules, behavior problems, medical conditions; name and phone
number of your veterinarian; pet beds and toys.
Ask friends, relatives, or others outside the affected area whether
they could shelter your animals. If you have more than one pet, they
may be more comfortable if kept together, but be prepared to house
them separately.
Prepare a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians who could
shelter animals in an emergency; include 24-hour phone numbers.
Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check
policies on accepting pets and restrictions on numbers, size and
species. Ask if "no pet" policies could be waived in an emergency. If
you have notice of impending disaster, call ahead for reservations.
See below for a list of "pet-friendly" hotels in our area.
Ask local animal shelters if they provide emergency shelter or foster
care for pets in a disaster. Animal shelters may be overburdened
caring for the animals they already have, as well as those displaced
by disaster.
Dogs and Cats
Make sure all dogs and cats are wearing securely fastened collars
with up-to-date identification. Cats and dogs should be transported
in an appropriate carrier or crate.
Reptiles
Snakes can be transported in a pillowcase but they must be
transferred to more secure housing when they reach the evacuation
site. If your snake requires frequent feedings, carry food with you.
Take a water bowl large enough for soaking and a heating pad. When
transporting house lizards, follow the same directions as for birds.
Birds
Use a secure travel cage or carrier to transport birds. In cold
weather, wrap a blanket over the carrier and warm up the car before
placing birds inside. During warm weather, carry a plant mister to
mist the birds' feathers periodically. Do not put water inside the
carrier during transport. Provide a few slices of fresh fruits and
vegetables with high water content. Have photo identification and leg
bands. If the carrier doesn't have a perch, line it with paper towels
and change them frequently. Try to keep the carrier in a quiet area.
Do not let the birds outside the carrier or case.
Pocket Pets
Small mammals (hamsters, gerbils, etc.) should be transported in
secure carriers suitable for maintaining the animals while sheltered.
Take bedding materials, food bowls and water bottles.
What is Microchipping?
The link below will take you to a comprehensive article about
microchipping as explained by the Humane Society of the United
States. Should you decide that microchipping is for you, PET AID
suggests that you call your local shelter and your veterinarian to
make sure that the chip your animal gets is able to be read by local
scanners.
http://www.hsus.org/ace/20818
Local Pet Friendly Hotels
DAYS INN Wrightstown, NJ 08056 Phone:
609-723-6900
ECONO LODGE Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 Phone: 856-
722-1919
ECONO LODGE Westampton, NJ 08060 Phone: 609-702-
1000
IMPERIAL INN Bordentown, NJ 08505 Phone: 609-
298-3355
MOTEL 6 Maple Shade, NJ Phone:
856-235-3550
RADISSON Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 Phone:
856-234-7300
RED ROOF INN Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 Phone: 856-
234-5589
PET AID would like to acknowledge the following local companies for
their support:
PET CITY--- Delran, NJ
VETCO --- Dr. GORDON STULL, Tabernacle NJ
ALLEN'S KENNELS --- Moorestown, NJ
VETERINARY SURGICAL & DIAGNOSTIC SPECIALISTS ---Clarkesburg, NJ
DR. ANNA MARIE LANGE, DVM
BURLINGTON COUNTY KENNEL CLUB
WAL-MART--- Marlton, NJ
For More Information About Disaster Preparedness for Animals, Contact:
The Humane Society of the United States http://www.HSUS.org
FEMA http://www.fema.gov/library/aprep.shtm ( Self-study course)
NJ Department of Agriculture http://www.state.nj.us/agriculture/livestok.htm (Includes information on horses and livestock)
Pet First Aid
Will you know what to do when your pet needs help? Your pet depends
on you for his or her well-being. In addition to providing daily
care, love and affection, your best friend depends on you in an
emergency. Whether your pet becomes ill or injured, or needs help in
a disaster, the American Red Cross can help. Our Pet First Aid book
teaches you emergency care procedures for cats and dogs and provides
tips for keeping your pet happy and healthy too.
Among the things you will learn are:
How to approach a sick or injured animal;
Administering medications;
Recognizing an emergency;
Performing CPR and first aid;
Treating common problems and emergencies requiring immediate
attention; and
What to stock in a pet first aid kit.
This soft-covered book with lay-flat binding is 128 pages long, and
features more than 130 illustrations. It was written by Bobbie
Mammato, DVM, MPH. To purchase the Pet First Aid book, contact us at
the chapter (609) 267-9595 or email info@burlingtoncountypetaid.org
You can also take a Pet First Aid or CPR class at the chapter. The
instructor-led class combines lecture, video and hands-on training
with cat/dog mannequins. Contact us and we'll be happy to provide you
with information about upcoming classes.
Please Donate!
The PET AID Fund helps families with pets displaced or affected by
disaster stay together. The fund makes it possible to place families
with pets in "pet-friendly" hotels; may offset the cost of veterinary
bills incurred by animals injured from disaster, will help us assist
with the cost of sheltering animals during an emergency; and helps us
with outreach projects such as disaster preparedness for pets, Pet
First Aid & CPR, and voluntary canine blood drives.
The PET AID fund is separate from the general Disaster Fund and will
only be used for familes with pets. If there is a large scale
disaster the fund will allow us to assist the pertinent state and
federal agencies.
No donation is too small! You may want to consider giving a monetary
gift to PET AID in memory of a special pet or animal lover in your
life.
Your PET AID contribution is tax deductible.
Donations By Mail *
American Red Cross, Attn: PET AID Fund
1632 Route 38
Lumberton, NJ 08048
*Please make sure your donation is clearly marked "PET AID Fund."
All donations not specifically marked "PET AID" will go directly into
the American Red Cross / Burlington County General Disaster Relief
Fund.
Contact Us:
Kimberley Kukis-Sheridan --Pets in Disaster
Coordinator Kimk@redcrossbcnj.org
Elaine Sullivan--Chairperson, "People & Pups" Canine Blood Drives
CanineBloodDrive@BurlingtonCountyPetAid.org
Annmarie Young -- Web Content & General Information
Info@BurlingtonCountyPetAid.org
Posted on SHARE Yahoo group Jul 14, 2004