Thursday, May 18, 2017

How to Prepare for a Natural Disaster with Your Pets

Bentley: “Hey, Pierre!  Guess what we are celebrating today?”
Pierre: “Well, I know it’s not time for my birthday again. Whatever it is, will there be cake?”
Bentley Basset Hound is teaching Pierre Westie how to prepare for a disaster
Bentley: “No cake. We are calling attention to National Pet Disaster Preparedness Day. It was actually on May 8th but we believe in the better late than never theory. I’m going to teach you how to be ready in case there is a natural disaster like a tornado, flood, or fire. If we take the time to make a plan and an emergency kit now, the chances of us surviving are a whole lot better.”
Pierre: “What if there is an alien invasion? Would that fall into the Disaster Preparedness Plan? I’ve seen some movies that let me know an invasion could be bad.”
Bentley: Sigh. We aren’t really covering invasion from outer space today. Besides, E.T. was kind of cute. Seriously, you remember the other day when the weather alarm started screaming? There were some dangerous storms heading our way. That’s why Mom and Dad had our leashes and were ready to take us into the hall to huddle. Luckily, it passed by without any damage.”
Pierre: “One of the best things that we did was getting our microchips. If you get scared and run away during a disaster, the chances of being reunited with your family are much better. You know how you get during bad thunderstorms.”
Bentley: “That’s true. It’s also important to have an emergency kit ready to load up in case we have to evacuate. Here are some ideas of what you’d need to pack.
  *Food and water to last five days. *A dehydrated food like Dr. Harvey’s Oracle is a space saver.
      *Medications and Medical Records: If you need to seek a veterinarian away from your area, updated medical records are important. This includes shot records such as rabies.
       *First Aid Kit: We wrote a post about preparing titled "What Goes In a Pet First-Aid Kit" with a list of things you'll need.
       *Extra leash, harness, and poop bags.
   *A current photo of you and your pet.
       *Written information about your pet’s eating habits, personality, and any medical issues. This will be invaluable if you are forced to board your pet. I keep copies of these documents in a folder with my first aid/evacuation bag.
·       *Miscellaneous Items: newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags, grooming items, household bleach, flashlight, blanket, and bowls.
Pierre Westie and Bentley Basset Hound are ready to ride in their car kennel
Pierre: “Humans need to remember that when weather or emergency circumstances force them to evacuate, they must carry their pets with them. We are not equipped to fend for ourselves.”
Bentley: “Not all evacuation shelters allow pets. When Hurricane Katrina hit, hundreds of pets were separated from their families because they weren’t allowed inside the shelters with their people.  Many cities now have evacuation shelters designated as pet-friendly.”
Pierre: “Part of Disaster Planning should include crate training. Evacuations are stressful and you don’t want to spend time forcing your pet into a travel crate.”
Bentley: “If an emergency happens around here, we are getting in our car kennel and evacuating as a family! All for one and one for all.”
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12 comments :

  1. that's very impawtant. we currently look for a crate what fits for me, so we have one when needed... the mama also wants one what's airline approved, but that is a challenge :O)))

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  2. Good tips. Plastic garbage bags are a must. I was waiting to see them on the list and then there they were. Also the medical records. Important stuff.

    Love and licks,
    Cupcake

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  3. Here about all we have would be a tornado and that means going to the basement. Mom has the plan in her head. Hopefully it will never happen.

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  4. A great reminder since we live in an earthquake area and are NOT prepared
    Lily & Edward

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  5. What a wonderful post. It just baffles mom when she reads pets are many times left behind during disasters. SHe doesn't understand how anyone could do that BUT she tires not to judge.
    For sure I'd go with my peeps. Several winters ago an ice storm knocked our out power for 24 hours. We could not get out of the house (and even if we could no hotels w/in safe driving distances did not take pets). We hunkered down here in front of the gas fireplace...My peeps were wishing they were furry like me.
    Hugs madi your bfff

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  6. What great tips! For a moment I thought there was a holiday tailor made for Elsa, my own personal national disaster at times. BOL

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  7. That's so important, great post, and very useful list ! Purrs

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  8. We're glad we live in s stable area. Too high for floods, few storms, no earthquakes, no real fire-prone areas. But we think if we lived where a disaster had a good chance of happening, we would need all those things. Great advice.

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  9. We had some bad winds last week that even took a few pieces of shingle off our roof! For sure if we ever had to evacuate we would do it together
    hugs
    Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel

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  10. Pawesome reminder and great tips, guys!

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  11. Thanks for this great information, hope I never have to come across a natural disaster.

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