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 You &
Your
Pet
Consider the family pet(s) early on to avoid mishaps with your pet. If you plan on boarding your pet make the
arrangements well in advance, There are many more pets in any area than there
are boarding space, so reserve your pets space early.
On a Personal Note . . .
Make plans now for what to do with your pets in the event of a hurricane.
- The choices are to keep the pet with you at home, take it with you if you
evacuate, leave it with a friend, or board it at a kennel. Don't plan on
taking your pet to a public emergency shelter: Because of safety and
public health concerns, shelters don't allow pets, except Seeing Eye dogs.
Leave pets alone at home only as a last resort.
- If you're going to board your pet, now's the time to call your local
veterinary clinic or the Humane Society for kennel locations. Some
branches of the Humane Society accept pets, but call first.
- Call local kennels now and ask about emergency procedures and admission
requirements. Many kennels require proof of vaccinations, so arrange
needed vaccinations now.
- If you're going to be traveling with a pet, consider buying a portable
carrier or cage. The carrier should be large enough to allow the pet to
stand up and turn around. Bring along a collar with identification, a
familiar towel or blanket, a supply of water and food, a leash, and any
medications needed.
- Get animal identification tags now. Tags increase the chance of an
owner-pet reunion after a storm. Dogs and cats wear tags; snakes and
lizards can be tattooed; birds wear bands.
- Consider leaving exotic pets, such as parrots, reptiles or ferrets, with
friends or relatives safely out of storm-threatened areas. Exotic pets
usually require specialized care and feeding, and are more sensitive to
environmental changes than dogs or cats. That can make it more difficult
to improvise for them during or after a storm. For example, if a bird cage
is lost or destroyed in a storm, it would be difficult to keep a parrot
from escaping into the wild. Some exotics, such as boa constrictors, may
not fare well on the loose, or may pose dangers to other animals or
humans.
- Decide now what to do with livestock. Some animal control officials say
cows and horses are better off in a pasture. Others recommend sheltering
them in a stable, barn or shed. You should decide now which avenue you
will take.
Pets Foodstuffs
Get enough food to last your pet for 30 days. Base the
amount on your pets size and appetite.
Canned Pet Food
Your pet may need additional food supplements. You don't
want your pet scrounging after a storm, there will be bacteria and foreign
viruses that can kill or cripple anything that may consume or inhale it. We
suggest approx. 2 oz to 4 oz per pet for cats and 8 to 12 oz per pet for dogs,
per day.
Pet Treats
While not a necessity, your pets will be just as stressed
as you will be after the storm has cleared. To help keep them calmer and more
manageable, pay plenty of attention to your pet and reward good behavior with
treats. Violence towards a pet in post storm environments usually has
little effect. Your pet suffers the same type of post-storm shock that humans
suffer after a disastrous storm.
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Last Revised: October 14, 2006 02:56 PM. |
