Newsletter
Sponsor - Super
8 Rowland
In
the Event of a Disaster, Will Your Beloved Pet Be Safe?
Have
a Safe Place to Go…
After being caught up in the funnel of a tornado,
Toto landed safely in Oz. What if you were forced to evacuate your home because
of the threat of a hazardous spill, flood, earthquake, fire, hurricane, or even
a terrorist attack? Would your pet also have a safe place to land? Being prepared
can not only save your pet’s life, but put your mind at ease.
If you must
evacuate, the best thing that you can do to protect your pets is to take them
with you. Leaving them behind should only be a last resort, as they are likely
to incur injury, become lost, or worse.
Unfortunately, disaster shelters,
such as those set up by the Red Cross, cannot accept pets due to government health
and safety regulations. Generally, the only exception to this rule is service
animals who assist people with disabilities. Finding emergency shelter in the
midst of a disaster can prove to be an insurmountable task. The bottom line is
that you need to plan ahead.
Find
several lodging facilities, such as hotels, motels, inns, and bed & breakfasts,
outside of your immediate area that is pet-friendly. Our Web site, www.BringYourPet.com
is an excellent resource for this task. Remember to check the pet policy to be
sure that they will accept the number and size of pets you need to accommodate.
Keep a list of these pet-friendly properties in your pet emergency supply kit,
and if an impending disaster warning is issued, call ahead to make reservations.
Make
arrangements ahead of time with friends and family that live outside of your area
in case you need more long term care for your pets. Also include information on
boarding facilities, veterinarians, and animal shelters as last resort accommodations.
These organizations will most likely be pushed beyond capacity to try to meet
the needs of all the displaced animals, so only use them if you are in dire need.
Have
a Pet Emergency Supplies Kit Assembled…
Although
you have no way of knowing how long you will be displaced from your home, you
do know that you will at least need some supplies to tied you over until you get
to your safe haven or an open store.
A
list of recommended items to include in your pet emergency supply kit is available
below. However, each pet, pet owner, and household is unique, so feel free to
expand upon and adjust these recommendations to suit your personal situation and
needs. Once all the items are gathered, keep your kit in an easily accessible
place in easy to carry containers.
Pet
Emergency Supply Kit
Medical
& Health
• Medical History - Information on feeding schedules, medical
conditions, behavior problems, medical records, and the name and number of your
veterinarian
• Medications - A two-week supply of any medicine your pet requires
stored in a water-proof container. (Remember that food and medications need to
be rotated out of your emergency kit otherwise they will go bad or become useless.)
•
Pet first-aid kit
• Emergency phone numbers
• Current photos of your pets
in case they get lost
Food,
Water, & Waste
• Food - Have available at least a week’s supply of your
pet’s normal food as well as some additional canned and dry pet food in case you
come across other displaced animals in need
• Portable water - An average-sized
dog needs about one gallon of water per day and cats need about one quart
•
Manual can opener and plastic lid
• Disposable litter trays or litter box
•
Litter, newspapers , or paper towels
• Non-spill pet feeding bowls
Transportation
& Safety
• Sturdy leashes or harnesses
• Identification tag and collar
• Adhesive tape and pen to write temporary housing information on ID tags
•
A pet traveling bag or sturdy carrier, ideally for each pet to transport pets
safely and ensure that your animals can't escape.
• Blanket (for scooping up
a fearful pet)
• Flashlight
Have
a Plan...
You
not only have to prepare yourself for any unforeseen disaster, but also your pet.
As a safety precaution, train your pet to go inside his crate or carrier on command.
To accomplish this, simply feed treats to your dog in his carrier and ring a bell
at the same time. After repeating this a few times, when your dog hears the sound
of a bell, he should run into the crate looking for a treat. This will be very
helpful if you need to find a frightened, hiding, or lost pet.
Often, disaster
warnings are issued in advance; however, there is still no guarantee that you
will be able to get home in time to retrieve your pet. Ask a trusted neighbor
if she would be willing to take your pets to a prearranged location in the event
that you cannot get home in time. It’s important that your pet not only be familiar
with, but also trusts this person. You will need to show this friend where your
pet emergency supply kit is located and give her a key to your house.
No matter
how much effort you put into planning for any possible contingency, your pet’s
reaction to the situation cannot be predicted. A normally calm and loving pet
may panic, hide, try to escape, become disoriented, wander away, or even attack.
For this reason, keeping your pets on a leach, harness, or in a crate or carrier
at all times is imperative for everyone’s safety.
If
You Are Forced to Leave Your Pet Behind…
If
you absolutely can not take your pet with you, there are still a few things that
you can do ahead of time to improve your pet’s chances of survival. Post a highly
visible sign in a window of your home that lets rescue workers know what type
and how many pets were left behind. An excellent sticker to post is available
free through ASPCA. Similar stickers may be available at your pet supply store.
Locate a room
in your house that makes a good safe haven for the type of disaster that typically
plagues your geographical area. Make sure the room is clear of hazards such as
windows or flying debris. Easy to clean areas such as a utility room, bathroom,
or basement usually make the best choice. The room needs to have access to both
a fresh water supply and accessible high ground in case of flooding.
Be
sure to leave plenty of water in large open containers that cannot be tipped over,
such as a bathtub or sink. Leave out a week’s worth of food, preferably in a timed
feeder. Whatever you do, do NOT tie or cage your pets. The chances of survival
are much greater if they can escape easily.
After
the Disaster…
In
the aftermath of a disaster, be extremely cautious when letting your pets back
outside and make sure they are wearing up-to-date identification tags. Be aware
of new dangers, such as downed power lines and debris. Never let your pet roam
free, familiar scents and landmarks may have altered during the disaster which
may cause your pet to become confused or lost.
For
More Information…
The
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Free Rescue Alert
Sticker
https://secure2.convio.net/aspca/site/SSurvey?ACTION_REQUIRED=
URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=1460
The
Humane Society of the United States
Disaster Services Program
http://www.hsus.org/ace/18730
The
American Red Cross
Animal Safety & Disaster Preparedness Information
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/animalsafety.html
Cutest
Pet Contest Winner
Announced
The
BringYourPet.com staff would like to announce that Munson won the title of 'Cutest
Pet.' Congratulations Munson!
If
you would like to submit your pet for our next contest, please fill out our contest
registration form.
For
more information on this contest, click
here.
New
Book Helps Hotels Increase Profits by Becoming Pet Friendly
Due
to the demand for accurate, actionable information about becoming a pet friendly
hotel, BringYourPet.com recently released the book, "Making Your Property
Pet Friendly: A How-To Guide."
"Making
Your Property Pet Friendly: A How-To Guide" escorts readers through the process
of becoming pet friendly from beginning to end. Months of research, hours of interviews
and miles of fieldwork with current pet friendly properties helped to shape this
essential how-to guide that is the backbone of any pet friendly program...
Follow
this link:
http://www.bringyourpet.com/pfguide.htm
"Making
Your Property Pet Friendly: A How-To Guide" is available in hardcopy
and downloadable
version.
Property
Spotlight - Quality Inn
Experience
southern hospitality, exceptional service and first-class amenities when you stay
with us at the Quality Inn hotel.
For
more information: http://www.bringyourpet.com/lodging/nc/nc2700.htm
Property
Spotlight - Bermuda
Sands Hotel
Bermuda
Sands Hotel offers Myrtle Beach vacationers great value with discount prices on
hotel rooms, lodging and accommodations.
For more information:
http://www.bringyourpet.com/lodging/sc/sc2300.htm
Are
You A Pet Friendly Property?
Let
BringYourPet.com Promote Your Pet Friendly Property!
Register
your pet friendly property with the BringYourPet.com online directory.
Pause
for Paws!BringYourPet.com
Affiliated Animal Welfare Charities |
Newsletter
Featured Charity
The
Humane Society of Central Florida. The Animal Shelter is a nonprofit organization
that accepts donations to help care for homeless pets.The Shelter is home to hundreds
of homeless dogs, cats, and small household pets. As a continually growing and
expanding Society, we welcome new and innovative people to develop creative and
community oriented programs. What ever you can do to help the animals is very
much appreciated. After all, these pets don't belong to you or I, but to all of
us. If the animals could, they would, beg for your help. And, if they could, they
would, say "Thanks." Thanks for lending a helping hand to a paw in need.
Thank you for caring. Thank you for sharing.
Contact
Information:
Email: HumaneSocietyFL@aol.com
Website: www.animalshelter.org
Address: 5859 County Rd, 545 Winter Garden, FL 34778
| If
you are interested in listing your nonprofit animal welfare charity on BringYourPet.com
or if you would like to refer us to a reputable organization in your area, please
email property@bringyourpet.com. |
Newsletter
Sponsor - Super
8 Rowland
The
Super 8 Rowland offers all the conveniences of home with a down home price. For
more information: http://www.bringyourpet.com/lodging/nc/nc2800.htm.
BringYourPet.com
Needs Your Assistance!
Help
BringYourPet.com serve you better by completing our one page questionnaire. All
of your responses are completely anonymous.
Click
here
to take the survey.
