Post by Butch Zaborniak on May 29, 2012 9:28:25 GMT -5
According to Citizens Corps a whopping 57% of Americans are prepared if a disaster were to strike. Included in those preparations should be a Pet Emergency Kit, as dogs, cats, and other pets are vulnerable and may require help as much as people. Here is a list of items for your Pet Emergency Kit...
Water
When bad weather strikes, obtaining fresh water becomes a top priority. When you go to the store to stock up on emergency supplies and reach for the bottled water, don’t forget to think of your pet. The more you can store for you and your family the better, but a week’s worth of water for each family member, including your pet, is a safe bet.
Pet Food
Because your pet is less likely to understand food and water rations, it is best to stock up on canned, wet food. Pet food in cans keeps better, and your pet will be less thirsty if they get moisture from their meal, thus enabling you to stretch out the precious water supply. Don’t forget to pack a can opener!
Medications
Like people, some pets suffer from chronic conditions that require the constant administration of medicine to keep them healthy. Speak with your veterinarian ahead of time to secure an emergency supply of pet medicines you may not have access to if your community is hit with severe weather.
Proof of Ownership
You’ll want to place photographs and/or any ownership papers of your pets in a sealed, airtight container as an essential component of your pet emergency kit. If your family has to evacuate to a shelter, you may have to board your pet. Keeping proof of ownership on hand will identify you as a pet owner.
Proof of Recent Vaccinations
Some animal clinics and boarding facilities will offer shelter to pets, but require your animal have up-to-date vaccinations. If you need to take your pet to an emergency animal shelter, taking a copy of their vaccination record with you will help ensure they get a spot.
An Emergency Help List
Because everyone in the affected community will be in survival mode, you will want to have a list of helpful neighbors and/or emergency boarding facilities handy. Knowing where you’ll need to go to ensure your pet is safely cared for ahead of time will ensure your pet is safe for the duration of the emergency.
Leashes and Pet Carriers
In the event of severe weather, your pet may panic and try to break loose to find a place to hide. Many pets become fatally trapped or injured because of this. In addition, the aftermath of a natural disaster usually results in downed power lines, fallen debris and contaminated groundwater. Therefore, it is best to utilize leashes and/or carriers to restrain your pet from running out into unsafe conditions.
ID Tags
Whether faced with an emergency situation or not, if you do become separated from your pets the best way to be reunited with them is to have additional ID tags you can fit them with in a hurry. Consider installing a microchip in your pet to help locate them as well. Just don't forget to keep your contact information up to date!
First Aid Kit
Together with the telephone number of the nearest emergency animal clinic, you can put together an emergency medical kit for your pets should they become injured. Include items such as gauze to bandage an injury, hydrogen peroxide to disinfect a wound, and an oral dosing syringe or turkey baster for administering the hydrogen peroxide.
Creature Comforts
Your pet may be confined to a small space for an undetermined amount of time. Try to include a pet bed, clean blankets, towels, a favorite toy, extra cat litter — anything you think you'll need to keep your pet calm. Like you, your pets will be nervous and frightened. Soothing them any way you can, will make your pets more likely to stay relaxed until conditions improve.
Credit: PetFoodDirect
www.petfooddirect.com/Shop/Nutrition-Center/a-pet-emergency-kit?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=SocialMedia&utm_campaign=NCA05272012
Water
When bad weather strikes, obtaining fresh water becomes a top priority. When you go to the store to stock up on emergency supplies and reach for the bottled water, don’t forget to think of your pet. The more you can store for you and your family the better, but a week’s worth of water for each family member, including your pet, is a safe bet.
Pet Food
Because your pet is less likely to understand food and water rations, it is best to stock up on canned, wet food. Pet food in cans keeps better, and your pet will be less thirsty if they get moisture from their meal, thus enabling you to stretch out the precious water supply. Don’t forget to pack a can opener!
Medications
Like people, some pets suffer from chronic conditions that require the constant administration of medicine to keep them healthy. Speak with your veterinarian ahead of time to secure an emergency supply of pet medicines you may not have access to if your community is hit with severe weather.
Proof of Ownership
You’ll want to place photographs and/or any ownership papers of your pets in a sealed, airtight container as an essential component of your pet emergency kit. If your family has to evacuate to a shelter, you may have to board your pet. Keeping proof of ownership on hand will identify you as a pet owner.
Proof of Recent Vaccinations
Some animal clinics and boarding facilities will offer shelter to pets, but require your animal have up-to-date vaccinations. If you need to take your pet to an emergency animal shelter, taking a copy of their vaccination record with you will help ensure they get a spot.
An Emergency Help List
Because everyone in the affected community will be in survival mode, you will want to have a list of helpful neighbors and/or emergency boarding facilities handy. Knowing where you’ll need to go to ensure your pet is safely cared for ahead of time will ensure your pet is safe for the duration of the emergency.
Leashes and Pet Carriers
In the event of severe weather, your pet may panic and try to break loose to find a place to hide. Many pets become fatally trapped or injured because of this. In addition, the aftermath of a natural disaster usually results in downed power lines, fallen debris and contaminated groundwater. Therefore, it is best to utilize leashes and/or carriers to restrain your pet from running out into unsafe conditions.
ID Tags
Whether faced with an emergency situation or not, if you do become separated from your pets the best way to be reunited with them is to have additional ID tags you can fit them with in a hurry. Consider installing a microchip in your pet to help locate them as well. Just don't forget to keep your contact information up to date!
First Aid Kit
Together with the telephone number of the nearest emergency animal clinic, you can put together an emergency medical kit for your pets should they become injured. Include items such as gauze to bandage an injury, hydrogen peroxide to disinfect a wound, and an oral dosing syringe or turkey baster for administering the hydrogen peroxide.
Creature Comforts
Your pet may be confined to a small space for an undetermined amount of time. Try to include a pet bed, clean blankets, towels, a favorite toy, extra cat litter — anything you think you'll need to keep your pet calm. Like you, your pets will be nervous and frightened. Soothing them any way you can, will make your pets more likely to stay relaxed until conditions improve.
Credit: PetFoodDirect
www.petfooddirect.com/Shop/Nutrition-Center/a-pet-emergency-kit?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=SocialMedia&utm_campaign=NCA05272012