Keeping Companion Animals Safe During Disasters
 
Planning ahead is the key to keeping yourself and your companion animals
safe during a disaster.  Listed below are some tips that will reduce the
risk to the animals that you are responsible for.
 
* Identify several possible locations where you can take your animals
should you have to evacuate.  These would be places that would not likely
be affected by the same disasters that would hit where you live.  This
would include boarding kennels, veterinary clinics with boarding space,
etc.
 
Don't forget to consider friends and family members too.  Look for
hotels/motels that accept animals.
 
* If you are not sure where to take an animal when you evacuate, do not
leave them behind, as this greatly increases the chances that an animal
will not survive.
 
* Start a buddy system with someone in your neighborhood.  Exchange
information on veterinarians and have a permission slip put in your file at
the vet, authorizing your "buddy" to get necessary emergency treatment for
your animal should you not be able to be reached.  If someone watches your
animals while you are on vacation, talk with them about a disaster plan to
be used to evacuate and care for your animals in your absence.
 
* In addition to your regular supply of animal food have at least a weeks
supply of food on hand to be used during a disaster.  Store the dry food in
an airtight/water proof container.  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.
 
* You should have at least a weeks supply of water in storage at all
times for your animals.  It can be stored in the gallon containers it is
purchased in, but do not keep it in direct sunlight, as algae will start to
grow.  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.
 
* Take several pictures of all the animals and keep these pictures with
your important insurance papers that you would take with you if you have
to evacuate.  Be sure to include in the pictures any distinguishing marks
that would make it easier to identity an animal.  These pictures can help
reunite you with a lost animal.  Store the pictures in a resealable plastic
bag in case you have to post them in the rain.
 
* Before a disaster strikes, talk to your veterinarian to see if he/she has
a disaster plan.  Your animal may need medical attention after a disaster
has struck and you need to know where to take your animal.  Knowing in
advance where to take an injured animal may save that animal's life if it
is in critical condition and time can't be wasted.
 
* Keep a first aid kit and first aid book in your disaster kit for your
animals.  Assembled kits and books can be bought at pet supply stores or
ask your veterinarian for a list of what should go into a first aid kit if
you want to put one together yourself.
 
* 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.
 
* Have assembled and ready to go, a pet carrier or "Evacsak."  It is
similar to a pillow case, but is a much safer and more secure way to
transport a small animal.  They take up a lot less space than carriers, and
if you have a house full of animals that need to be transported, you can
get a lot more Evacsaks into a car.  They can be purchased by contacting
Animal Care Equipment and Services at 1-800-338-ACES.  Be sure to have a
food and a water dish to use in the carrier.
 
* Have a harness and leash for all the pets in your household.
 
* 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.  It is important to start looking for a missing animal as soon as
you realize it is gone, as some shelters may not be able to house for a
very long time large numbers of displaced animals that arrive during a
disaster.
 
For more detailed animal disaster tips, you may want to purchase the book
Out of Harm's Way, written by Terri Crisp, the Director of United Animal
Nation's Emergency Animal Rescue Service program.  The last fifty pages
of the book have life saving tips for domesticated animals, horses, and
livestock.  Any one who has animals should have this valuable resource
guide.
[Posted in FML issue 3052]