Preparedness Tips For Pet Guardians As Hurricane Isabel Nears East Coast
Humane Society of the United States
WASHINGTON (September 15, 2003) - The Humane Society of the United
States (HSUS), the nationīs largest animal protection organization,
is urging pet owners in the potential path of Hurricane Isabel to
make plans now to protect their pets.
"Pets are a part of our families too, and we need to prepare
immediately for their safety and well-being. Even though we donīt
know where Isabel will hit, itīs better to get ready now than to be
caught unprepared and put them at risk." said Anne Culver, director
for Disaster Services at The HSUS.
The HSUS suggests that all pet owners have an emergency supply kit
for their pets. This kit should include:
o A three-day supply of food and water, as well as bowls, cat litter
and litter box, and a manual can opener.
o Current photos and descriptions of your pets to help others
identify them should you and your pets become separated. Pets should
wear up-to-date identification, including the phone number of someone
out of the area in case your pet becomes lost while youīre not at
home.
o Medications, medical records and a first aid kit stored in a
waterproof container.
o Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and carriers to transport pets safely as
well as blankets or towels for bedding and warmth. Carriers should be
large enough to comfortably house your pet for several hours.
If the need arises to evacuate an area, keep your pet with you. If it
isnīt safe for you to stay in the area, it isnīt safe for your pets.
Pets that are turned loose or left behind to fend for themselves are
likely to become victims of starvation, predators, contaminated food
or water, accidents, or exposure to the elements.
Many evacuation shelters do not accept pets, so itīs best to plan in
advance where you will go. "No Pet" restrictions at hotels and motels
might be lifted in an emergency, so itīs best to ask. Check with
friends and family members who live outside your area to see if they
can shelter you or your pets if needed.
For more information on emergency preparedness for your pets visit
www.hsus.org/disaster .
For More Information Contact: Belinda Mager (301) 258-3071
E-Mail: bmager@hsus.org
Forwarded message - please reply to lacollea@msn.com
Subject: PET TIP: DISASTER PLANNING
With the black out last month and hurricane Isabel on the way, I
got to thinking; How many of us would be ready to pick up and leave
our homes if there were a need for evacuation? Now consider that
close to half of all American households include companion animals -
our pets. Do emergency shelters for people within the area accept
pets? Is there a preplanned area where animals can be housed in
great numbers if the need arises? Are there animal facilities within
the community, i.e., animal shelter, pet store, boarding kennel,
veterinarian, specialty group associations, whose resources can be
utilized in a disaster situation? Have emergency procedures been
established with these animal facilities? Who keeps the current list?
In other words, is there a plan?
For disaster planning to fully serve a community, planning for the
animals within that community must be a considered part of a
Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, and communities around the
country are starting to see the benefits of including this
often-overlooked population in their planning efforts.
Below are valuable links to animal disaster planning:
http://www.avma.org
http://www.avmf.org
http://www.americanhumane.org
http://exoticpets.about.com/library/weekly/aa051299.htm
http://doacs.state.fl.us/ai/pesf17br.htm
http://www.cyberpet.com/cyberdog/articles/general/artad1d.htm
http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/ah/disaster_preparedness.htm
http://www.petswelcome.com/
http://www.missingpet.net/
http://www.uan.org/
http://www.hsus.org/disaster/brochure091499.html
http://www.fema.gov
Permission to Crosspost
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Posted on SHARE Yahoo group Sep 16, 2003