Stay Safe! Be Prepared!
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Natural disasters, while frightening to think about, do happen and sometimes without warning. Being prepared and ready for any catastrophic events (flooding, snow or “The Big One”) is the best thing you can do to help you and your extended pet family avoid unfortunate incidents. If you follow the tips below, you can be a step ahead should any emergency arise.
One of the first things you need to do is make sure all your pets are up-to-date on their vaccines – if your animals are in a situation where they have to travel or are placed in a boarding facility or evacuation shelter, making sure they are current on vaccines is paramount for their health as well as the health of other animals. Your pet should also be microchipped, as you never know what may happen during a catastrophic incident. Plus, most boarding facilities and airlines will require up-to-date vaccines.
After a disaster, landmarks and familiar scents may be altered, which can cause animals to be confused and lost. When pets do go outside, please keep them on a leash and keep them close, as they may be unaware of their surroundings. Additionally, keep in mind that potentially dangerous animals may have migrated to your area, so be on the lookout for these animals as well as other hazards such as downed power lines.
Make sure to have an Evac-Pack and supplies handy for your pets, and place this in a location where everyone in your household can access it. Check to see that it is clearly labeled and easy to carry. In this pack, keep essentials such as:
• Water, water, water and more water. Have at least seven days’ worth of bottled water for each person and pet.
• Enough food for everyone for at least a week, if not longer. Ensure that dry food is stored in water-tight containers or use canned food. Remember that changing diets can lead to diarrhea and dehydration.
• Pet first-aid kit and guide book. Ask your vet what to include or buy one online.
• Pet medical supplies. Store photocopies of medical records as well as a waterproof container with a two-week supply of any medicine your pet requires.
• Other miscellaneous essentials. Include a flashlight, blanket, recent photos of your pet, liquid dish soap, disinfectant and a long leash and yard stake.
Other helpful things to keep in mind are having proper transport for each pet—ideally a traveling bag, crate or sturdy carrier.
Finally, you should have an emergency kit for the human members of the family. Items you should include are batteries, duct tape, a flashlight, radio, multi-tool, tarp, rope, permanent marker, spray paint, baby wipes, blankets, protective clothing and footwear, extra cash, rescue whistle, important phone numbers, extra medication and copies of medical and insurance information.
Additional helpful resources include:
Being prepared is not difficult, and you never know what may happen. Having a plan and proper supplies will help your family and pets in the event of any emergency.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at 971-252-3154.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]