By Dr. Jerry Klein
Emergencies come in many forms. It seems that with each passing year, we hear of more natural disasters occurring across the country, from fires in the West to hurricanes in the South. Some of these areas are new to these types of crises. These emergency events may mean evacuating your home, and if you have pets, that can be even more challenging.
The American Kennel Club recommends these measures to help keep you and your pet safe in case of a natural disaster.
Obtain a rescue alert sticker
A rescue alert sticker informs people that pets are inside your home. The sticker should include the number and types of pets in the home, as well as the name and number of your veterinarian, and should be placed prominently near the front door to ensure it is visible to rescue workers.
Arrange a safe place
If the conditions of a natural disaster are bad enough for you to have to leave, your pets need to leave as well. Do not leave your pets behind. Because not all shelters will accept pets, it’s important to determine where you will go ahead of time. This can include contacting your vet for a list of preferred boarding kennels and facilities, asking your local shelter if they know of shelters that can provide temporary shelter or foster care, identifying hotels or motels outside your immediate area that accept pets, and asking your friends or relatives who live outside the area if they can take you and your pet in.
Choose a designated caregiver
This can be tough, but it is important to choose someone to act as a designated caregiver to your pets. Choose someone who lives close by, is around during the day while you might be at work or has easy access to your home. Be sure the caregiver understands the number of pets and any special medical needs they may have and always inform them when their services may be required.
Prepare an evacuation
plan and kit
If the time comes for you to evacuate, plan for the worst-case scenario. Always follow the instructions of local and state officials and have the following emergency supplies already put aside: pet medications, photos of all your pets, disposable litter trays, kitty litter and scoop, paper towels, liquid dish soap and disinfectant, disposable garbage bags, bowls for food and water, water, a working flashlight, duct tape, permanent markers, baby wipes, and copies of medical and insurance information.
In cases like these, it is recommended to have your pet microchipped. AKC Reunite, an affiliate organization of The American Kennel Club, serves as a national database for microchipped pets and provides recovery services for all microchipped animals 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All animal species can enroll in AKC Reunite, regardless of age or size; microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and are easily implanted. In addition to a pet’s ID number and owner’s contact information, microchips contain a unique ID code that permanently link an owner to their pet if they are ever lost. More than 460,000 pets have been returned home to date. For more information, visit akcreunite.org.
Klein is Chief Veterinary Officer for the American Kennel Club. This article was provided by Tribune News Service.