During
a Disaster (page 2) -
Evacuate
your pet early, if possible, to a preselected site outside of the emergency
area, possibly a relative’s
home or even a pet friendly hotel. Take your pet's
vaccination and medical records as well as identification
photographs
with you.
-
In
case of an evacuation, bring your pet indoors. Disaster assistance
groups such as the American
Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) are
not equipped to handle, rescue or care for
displaced pets during large-scale emergencies. Emergency
and human disaster shelters cannot accept animals
(except service
animals) for safety and sanitation reasons.
Do NOT leave pets chained outdoors.
-
If
you must leave your pet behind, prepare an
emergency pen for pets in your home that
includes at least a three-day
supply of dry food and a large, spill proof
container of water. If possible, open a faucet
to let water
drip into a large container or partially
fill a bathtub. Do
not leave vitamin treats out for your pet;
they could be fatal, if overeaten. Position
cages off
the floor,
away from windows, and on a sturdy surface
to prevent tipping over. Preselecting a site
in your home
will make emergency preparations for you
pet easier than waiting
until the emergency occurs.
-
Keep
cats and dogs separate, even if they normally get along (stress
in emergencies
can upset the
balance of friendship). Keep bird cages
covered with a protective
sheet, away from windows and other
pets.
- If
you cannot locate your animals and have to evacuate,
leave as much
water and
food, inside
or outside, for
them as possible. (It is a good
idea to have an automatic feeder and water
container
on hand that
will last for
several days or more).
Continued
on page 3 | page
1
For
more information on taking care of pets in an emergency
check out these web sites:
-
-
-
American
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals (ASPCA)
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