« Capital Area Humane Society's Celebrity Chef Special Event | Main | Another rabbit thrown out with the trash »
April 5, 2006
Are you ready for an Emergency?
It must be Spring: the days are longer; birds are singing; flowers are popping up. And though it’s still early in the season, nature showed its mighty force in the storms that ripped through the Midwest last week. For us in Central Ohio, it’s a timely reminder to update our family disaster plans and make sure they include our pets. The American Red Cross (www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_239_,00.html) recommends having a three-day supply of the basics for each family member (food, water, medications, batteries, radio, flashlight, etc.).
Likewise, the Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) recommends similar planning for your companion animals. (www.uan.org/ears/disaster_tips.html). A week’s supply of food, water, and medications should be stored in airtight containers that can be accessed easily during an evacuation. Keep carriers on hand for transporting each pet. Be sure to have identification for each animal in the event you are separated. Because rabbits don’t wear tags and collars, a good way to do this is to have a photo of each pet. Even better is a photo of your pet with your family. A photo can offer proof to rescuers that a certain pet belongs to you. Before disaster strikes, call around to locate area hotels that allow pets. It also never hurts to ask if a hotel’s “no pet” policy would be waived during a disaster. Remember that human shelters rarely allow companion animals on-site due to health concerns, so you should be prepared to take your pet to a local shelter or temporary shelter for safekeeping. Most shelters will allow you to visit your companion animals while they are being housed.
Keep all of your emergency supplies together in a central location to make finding them easy when they are needed. A little planning can help keep your entire family–human and non-human– safe during an emergency.
Posted by Karalee at April 5, 2006 4:40 PM