Disasters Can Happen at Any Time…Is Your Pet Ready?

Disasters, large or small can happen at any time. It may be a single-family house fire, an earthquake, flood or hurricane. We should all have emergency kits for the people in our homes and it should also include your pets.

"Be Prepared" is the scout's motto. A little effort on your part now could mean the difference between life and death for your pet later.

For Your Home:

1. Leave a note by your front door alerting emergency personnel to the number and types of pets in your home.
2. Repair broken window screens and fences. Even small openings can look like an escape route to a scared pet.
3. If your pet is not easily transportable, like a bird or an aquarium full of fish, be sure they are secured to as stable a surface as possible.

For a Quick Get Away:

1. Have a pre-made backpack that contains enough food and water to last a week for each pet.
2. Include in your kit, needed daily medications, current photos and vaccine records.
3. Leashes and collars for dogs, harnesses for cats and a pillowcase to pop the cat in to in case you can't find its carrier.
4. A basic first aid kit, a blanket and a toy are good to include.

In case you can't get to the house to rescue your pet, make arrangements with neighbors to take care of your animals. Always be sure that your pet is wearing identification, even if it is solely an indoor pet.

A few minutes spent now in preparing all members of the family for the possibility of an emergency can help to insure a happy outcome, and this is important because it is "Your Pet…Health Matters."