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]