Have an emergency plan to keep all family members safe
I was watching the news last night. One of the news stories was about the devastation caused by flooding outside of Boulder, Colo.
The story included pictures of people who had just been rescued from areas cut off by flooding water and bridges that had collapsed. They were holding the hands of children, carrying wrapped bundles and, in the middle of one of the filmed scenes, were two women walking with dogs beside them on lead. Hopefully, all of these people are safe now and can recover from the disaster.
The Department of Homeland Security has designated September as National Preparedness Month. With the tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, floods and international incidents we hear and read about on the Internet, radio, TV and in the newspapers, we all need to get proactive about planning for an emergency.
If you share your life with an animal, you need to include them in your family plan.
“The likelihood that you and your animals will survive an emergency such as a fire or flood, tornado or terrorist attack depends largely on emergency planning done today,” notes Ready.Gov.
The disaster plan suggested by the HSUS prepares us to protect our animals during disasters that come with some warning, like floods, wildfires or hurricanes, and those that strike suddenly like tornadoes or chemical spills.
The first step of the HSUS plan is to start getting ready now:
Ÿ ID your pet. Start by making sure your dog or cat is wearing a collar with visible and up-to-date identification information. Put your cellphone number on your pet’s tag, and maybe the phone number of a friend or relative outside the area in case you have to evacuate. Take pictures of you with your pet for identification purposes. Microchip your pet to increase your chance of being reunited with him.
Ÿ Talk to your neighbors about how they can help your pets if you are not at home when disaster strikes.
Ÿ Find a safe place to stay ahead of time. Make a list of hotels outside your immediate area that allow pets. Ask about any restrictions on number, size and species. Ask if the “no pet” policies would be waived in an emergency.
Ÿ Put together your disaster kit. Every family member should know what to do and what to take if you need to evacuate.
The HSUS advises, “Be prepared to take pets with you if evacuation orders are issued. If it isn’t safe for you, it isn’t safe for them. If you are ordered to shelter in place, bring your pets inside with you.”
Supplies for your family will include supplies for your pet. The HSUS states, “Stock up on nonperishables well ahead of time and have everything ready to go at a moment’s notice. Keep everything accessible and stored in sturdy containers (duffel bags, covered trash containers) that can be carried easily.”
The basic disaster kit includes:
Ÿ Food and water for at least five days for each pet, bowls for food and water, and a manual can opener for canned food. Dry pet food should be kept in air tight containers and refreshed every six months.
Ÿ Medications and medical records in a waterproof container, a pet first aid kit and a pet first aid book.
Ÿ Study leashes, harnesses.
Ÿ Carriers to transport pets safely and to ensure your pets can’t escape. Carriers should be large enough for the animal to stand comfortably, turn around and lie down and to use as a sleeping area.
Ÿ Garbage bags, litter boxes and scoops for pet waste.
Ÿ Comfort items like beds or toys.
For more information on preparedness plans for our pets, go to humanesociety.org/prepare.
HSUS says, “The best way to keep your pets safe during an emergency is to keep them with you.”
Being prepared is a good thing!
Ÿ The Buddy Foundation is a nonprofit (501c3), all volunteer, no-kill animal shelter dedicated to the welfare of stray, abused and abandoned cats and dogs. Call (847) 290-5806 or visit thebuddyfoundation.org.