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To prepare your pet for a natural disaster, store
the following supplies and first aid items in a protected area, in a
portable container such as a plastic bin or a trash can with a lid.
Make sure that your pet wears a break-away collar and ID tag at all
times. Consider having a microchip ID implanted; contact your
veterinarian for more information.
Supplies
□ 1-week supply of your pet’s food *
□ 6 gallons of water *
□ Plastic food and water dishes (non-spill design)
□ Manual (non-electric) can opener
□ Leash and extra collar
□ Portable pet carrier with towel or blanket for bedding
□ Pet bed
□ Paper towels, plastic bags, “pooper scooper,” and disinfectant for
picking up after your dog and cleaning the carrier; litter box and
litter for your cat
□ 1-week supply of any medicines your pet requires
□ Photocopies of veterinary records
□ Current photo of your pet
□ A favorite toy
* Remember that food and water will spoil or go stale. Be sure to
check your pet’s emergency food and water frequently to ensure that it
is still good.
First
Aid Kit
□ Gauze pads and bandages
□ Q-tips
□ Roll of cloth tape
□ Hydrogen peroxide
□ Antiseptic ointment such as Neosporin
□ Quickstop for bleeding
□ Betadine solution
□ Scissors
□ Petroleum jelly
□ Tweezers
□ Thermometer
□ Pet first aid book
Transporting Your Pet in an Emergency
□ Plan and prepare ahead of time to make your evacuation with your pet
quick and safe.
□ Have your veterinarian’s phone number available.
□ Make sure your pet is wearing a collar and ID tag.
□ Keep your pet on a leash or in a carrier at all times while
traveling.
□ Avoid feeding your pet immediately before leaving. Traveling on a
full stomach could cause vomiting or other problems.
□ Offer water and rest stops every few hours during the trip. Use a
leash whenever your pet is out of the car.
□ When you reach your destination, give your pet a quiet, safe place
to rest. Allow it to adapt to its new surroundings for a while before
offering food and water.
Additional Precautions for Reptiles
□ reptile food is preferable to dog food, cat food for reptiles
that eat only protein, and baby food as a vegetable and fruit
substitute for reptiles that need more nourishment than that provided
only by protein (fresh vegetables and fruits are perishable)
□ A portable heat source, such as a warm container with a
heater (if a heater is not available, put your pet in a soft pouch and
put the pouch in a pocket of your jacket) or Thermacare Heat Wrap that
you break to activate—always place a cloth between the reptile and the
source of heat because of the risk of burns
□ Snakes can be transported in a pillowcase or large sack, but
must be transferred to more secure housing when they reach their
destination.
□ If your reptile requires frequent feeding, have food
available while traveling.
□ Take a tray or bowl large enough to hold water for drinking
as well as soaking.
□ For lizards, offer fruits and vegetables high in water
content. If fresh fruits and vegetables are not available, offer baby
food.
□ Keep your reptile’s container in a quiet, safe place.
Additional Precautions for Small Mammals
□ Transport small pets in a sturdy container (resistant to
chewing!) that is suitable for living in at a shelter or other
emergency location.
□ Cover
the container with a towel to calm the animal during transport.
□ Stop
every few hours to offer the animal food and water.
□ Keep the
container in quiet, safe place.
□ Keep rabbits and guinea pigs cool, rather than too warm.
(Materials produced by the Palo Alto Humane Society
in conjunction with the American Red Cross
Northern California Disaster Preparedness Network.)
Last updated
Wednesday January 11, 2012 03:09 PM |
