|
|
New
This Domain is For Sale,
Serious Inquiries please contact Marie Tabsch
By Deborah Simson
From June to November, the Southeastern United States is often in the national spotlight. It's not a positive spotlight, however, since this is the time of hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center has made their season predictions for 2000 and their predictions are not good. We need to start planning and preparing for potential disaster. Many families may feel they are prepared and need to just replenish their food and water supplies. However, have you adequately prepared for disaster for your pet? Follow the plan below and you will be well on your way. There are four phases for effective emergency management. The first phase is "mitigation" or preparations made to minimize the effects of the hurricane. The second phase is "preparedness" or the planning and preparation done prior to the hurricane. The third phase is the "response" phase, which involves activities during the hurricane. The final phase is the "recovery" phase, which involves actions taken to return to normal post-hurricane. THE MITIGATION PHASE The mitigation phase of our plan should begin now. All families need to plan whether they will stay in their home with their pets or evacuate. If you are living in an evacuation zone, you really will not have a choice. Determine your sheltering options for you and your pets. Research hotels/motels that will take pets on www.traveldog.com or www.petswelcome.com. If you do not have Internet access, contact your local travel agent. If you are going to a shelter (pets are not allowed) then contact your veterinarian for boarding options or look for boarding kennels in the yellow pages. Call them now and find out what their policies are for hurricane reservations. Remember, though, your veterinarian or boarding kennel are most likely not "hurricane-proof" buildings so tour the facility and see if you will feel comfortable leaving your pet there. In many cases, you may have no choice. THE PREPAREDNESS PHASE The first steps in the preparedness phase are the measures taken to guarantee the safety and return of your pet if separated during a disaster. These measures include updating vaccinations and getting proper identification for your pet. Even if your pet is strictly and indoor pet, you will want to vaccinate your pet to prevent it form catching diseases after the hurricane. Many pets during Hurricane Andrew were left roaming free and were exposed to various different situations. If not vaccinated, they are left vulnerable to the potential of catching diseases, including rabies. If your pet will have to board in a veterinarian or boarding kennel, updated vaccines will be required. Take care of this step now before a hurricane is on its way and your veterinarian becomes less available. In regards to obtaining proper identification, I highly recommend inserting a microchip in your pet. The microchip is a small computer chip with a number assigned to your pet. The chip is about the size of a grain of rice and is inserted by needle between the shoulder blades of your pet. This is a form of identification that cannot be lost or altered. The reason I prefer the microchip to a tattoo is the tattoo can be changed if someone wants to alter it (especially if your pet is very valuable) and if the pet is injured where the tattoo is located, it may become illegible. Your veterinarian should be able to insert a microchip for you. The other important form of identification your pet should have would be a county rabies tag. This is required to be worn by law and if your pet is picked up post-hurricane, the rescue workers will know your pet has been vaccinated for rabies and can use the number on the tag to locate you. However, during disasters, it is possible for your pet to lose its collar, so have another form of identification in addition to a tag. Finally, take a current photo of your pet and keep it with vaccine records, rabies tag numbers, and microchip and tattoo numbers. Place these in a waterproof container so they will be safe to use after the disaster. The next step involves stockpiling supplies. Supplies you will need include a pet first aid kit, two weeks or more of your pet's food, water, extra prescription medication, garbage bags, kitty litter, puppy training pads, and cages of kennels for confinement or evacuation. A pet first aid kit can usually be bought at most pet supply stores or pick up a book at a bookstore and follow its directions on making your own. Store your pet's food in a cool, dark place. Buy smaller cans of food if able, since you will most likely not have refrigeration during the recovery process. In regards to securing water, plan enough water for double your pet's current daily intake. Remember, you will probably not have air conditioning and it will be hot. Puppy training pads will come in handy if you are unable to walk your dog for a long period of time. The pad will give your pet a safe place to go within your house and an easy way for you to clean it up. Kennels and cages should be ready for evacuation and confining skittish animals during the storm. THE RESPONSE PHASE Once your area has received the hurricane watch notification, keep calm. Animals sense your emotions and will respond accordingly. Make sure any of your outdoor pets have been brought inside and secured safely away from windows and outside doors. Fill your bathtubs with water and bleach out toilet bowls and flush them for drinking water for large dogs. It is recommended that you do not tranquilize your pet. This is basically for the reason that tranquilizers will inhibit your pet from being able to survive or defend himself if separated from you. Discuss this with your vet if necessary. Keep your pets in your safe room with your other family members during the storm. THE RECOVERY PHASE After the storm your area may be very chaotic. Again, keep calm. Avoid standing water and downed power lines. Do not give your pet contaminated food and water, including tap water until the local officials have notified you that it is safe. If you do lose your pet during a hurricane, contact your local animal control and humane organizations with your pet's identification information. Use your current photo to make flyers to fax or send to them and local veterinary hospitals. Post the flyers where ever you can and let your neighbors know of your lost pet. Hopefully, though, with thorough preparation, your pet will be safe. Remember, it is our responsibility as good pet owners to protect our pets from harm. This includes making adequate hurricane preparations for the safety of our pets. Also include our neighbor's pets if needed. Maybe you have a neighbor who is unable to drive and will be in need of supplies for their pet. Reach out and help the community survive, the whole community- two-legged and four-legged. Stay Safe! Animal Hospitals, Clinics, and Private Kennels that Will Board Your Pets in the Event of a Hurricane (Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach) -Deborah Simson is currently the floor nurse at the Animal Clinic of Woodmont. She successfully completed an Animals in Disaster: Awareness and Preparedness course offered by FEMA earlier this year. |
|
|
|
||
|
||||
|
| ||||
All Contents Copyright © The Pet Tribune
Design Tyme