Hurricane Preparedness
Pt. I
We are located in Houston, which has been known to be affected by a hurricane now and again. Many of our readers, friends, and puppy purchasers live in other areas that can experience a hurricane. Part of being a responsible pet owner - is having a safety plan that INCLUDES your pet. We have taken some tips from the Hurricane Pet Rescue Organization.
HURRICANE TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR PETS SAFE!
1) If you need to evacuate, PLEASE TAKE YOUR ANIMALS WITH
YOU! HAVE A PLAN, MEMORIZE IT AND STICK TO IT. DO A SIMULATED EMERGENCY DRILL
WITH YOUR FAMILY AND PETS. PICK A LEADER, FOLLOW THE LEADER AND DO NOT ARGUE
WITH THE LEADER. KNOW SEVERAL PLACES OF EXIT. DO NOT ENCLOSE YOURSELF AND YOUR
PETS TO THE POINT THAT YOU CANNOT GET OUT.
2) In the event that you cannot take the animal where you are
going, please make arrangements to board your animal in a safe and reputable
boarding facility or vet office INLAND.
3) If you are going to a shelter with your animal please
make sure you call your veterinarian beforehand so you can get a copy of your
pets vet records and proof of vaccinations. Most shelters will NOT take your pet,
if the pet doesn't have at least a rabies shot. Also, at shelters that accept
pets, they are many other pets besides yours, so it is IMPERATIVE that your
pet(s) is up to date on shots,
This way she// he will be protected from diseases.
Don't wait until the last minute to give your pets their
vaccinations as vaccinations can take up to 2 weeks to take up to 2 weeks to be
effective.
4) If you are packing for you, please park for your pets as
well, you don't need to take the cat tree or the dog house, but please pack a
few familiar things for your pet(s) that has the smell of his house. Especially
if you go to a shelter. Taking a few toys to entertain the pet is a must,
perhaps a familiar blanket will be good too. Rescue Remedy to relieve stress
will be a good idea to have in hand.
You can pick up Rescue Remedy at any health food store, is a
natural stress reliever with no side effects, it can be used as needed and it
works great (DO NOT get the Rescue Remedy pills, those can be toxic)
Besides a carrier you are going to need a cage/crate so your
pet can be more comfortable while at the shelter. Make sure the crate/cage is
big enough where the pet can comfortably stand and litter box (for cats), food and water
dishes can also fit in. It will be a good idea checking out crates and cages
now and not to leave it for the last minute.
5) Getting your pets microchipped is highly advisable, but
if the pet is not microchipped yet please put ID TAGS on your pets NOW.
Although ID tags are not always the best as collars break and there go the ID
tags. Even if your pet is microchipped having ID tags on your pets as well is
always a good idea.
ID tags and microchips can prevent your animals from getting
killed in case they ever get lost and end up in a shelter! Or in case of a
Mother Nature Disaster if they get lost, finding their owner will be somewhat
better.
If your pet is a cat please use a breakaway collar.
6) If your pet takes medications please make sure you have
enough to get you through the storm and at least a 3 week supply for the
aftermath.If you haven't yet, this will be a good time to ask your vet for extra
medications, antibiotics are always good to have them handy in case your pet
gets sick.
In case of a storm if you lose power there will be no
refrigeration, so pills are always best.
7) Buy at least food and water supply for your pet to last
you for at least 2 weeks. Bottled water is best as tap water may be
contaminated after a storm (listen to authorities for warning of contaminated
water).
Contaminated water causes disease in people as well as pets.
If you cannot afford bottle water for your pets then you can purified the water
by following these simple steps:
Hold water at a rolling boil for 1
minute to kill bacteria.
If you can't boil water, add 1/8
teaspoon (approximately 0.75 ml) of newly purchased, unscented liquid household
bleach per gallon of water.
Stir the water well, and let it
stand for 30 minutes before you use it. You can use water-purifying tablets
instead of boiling water or using bleach.
After the storm, disinfect your pet’s toys that have come in
contact with water. Use a solution of 1 cup of bleach in 5 gallons of water to
disinfect the toys. Let toys air dry after cleaning.
Some toys, such as stuffed animals and cannot be
disinfected; they should be discarded.
8) If you are riding out the storm at your home. Place all
your animals in one room (if possible) and place carriers. collars &
leashes in the same room so you will have them handy when you need them.
If things do get ugly, DO NOT PANIC, Stay as calm as you can
be. If you panic your animals will panic too. Remember that pets can sense
human emotions!
Please have rope and an ax (in case you need to break an
opening to get to safety), a flashlight, a SMALL bag with medications, your id
and your keys all in one place, so if you need to get out and lose power you
will know where everything is.
Remember, Pets sense Mother Nature disasters days before any
radar can pick them up, so they may be a bit stress already without anybody
noticing. Keeping calm is key!
9) If you have no choice but to leave your pets alone (NOT
ADVISABLE).
DO NOT CHAIN YOUR PET TO ANYTHING.
DO NOT TRANQUILIZE YOUR PET, PETS NEED TO BE ALERT TO RELAY
ON THEIR
INSTINCTS.
DO NOT CONFINE YOU PETS TO A ROOM.
DO NOT CONFINE YOUR PETS TO A CRATE.
PLAN FOR YOUR PET
GIVE THEM EASY ACCESS TO HIGH PLACES, IN CASE OF FLOODING.
Leave plenty of dry food and water and put a dish of water
under the dish of dry food so ants will not get in the food. Put as many litter
boxes as you can all over your house, Wee Wee pads for dogs or newspaper. If
you have an answering machine DO call your animals and let them hear your voice
while you are away.
Do NOT leave lamps on, if you want to leave a light on for
your pet, please leave a ceiling fixture on.
If things get bad, lamps can tip over, if the area is
flooded your pets can be electrocuted, same scenario with fans DO NOT leave any
fans on. Unplug all appliances, yes including your refrigerator, if you have a
gas stove, please shut off the main line.
Do not leave wet food for you pets because it will spoil and
your pet will get sick.
If you board up your house, please leave an exit for your
pets, perhaps a screened cracked window chances are that your house has
insurance, so if your roof blows away you are covered but your pets won't be.
If there is a flood and the water rises up to your roof
(like it did with Katrina), having an open window or 2 it will give your pet a
chance to break free.
10) Good luck and be safe with your 4 legged little ones.
Source information:
Celene Albano, HPR Rescue CEO
www.hurricanepetsrescue.org
www.hurricanepets.petfinder.com
E-mail: HPRESQ@aol.com
tel: 786-999-8239
