It’s easy with all the running around and chaos to sometimes forget about your pets or at least the planning for their safety as well. I was planning on writing this post a little later on, but with the mentions about our pets, I thought I’d do it now.
Here’s a rule of thumb to think about. If it’s dangerous for you, then it’s dangerous for your pets. Didn’t Katrina and others teach us that? If you wait for the last minute and don’t plan, you will most likely leave your pet thinking that they’ll be alright and that you’ll come back for them tomorrow. But you surely don’t know what’s going to happen now, so how can you be so sure of tomorrow. Yes, we’d like to be optimistic, but let’s go one step better – let’s be smart!
OK, enough of a lecture. Now to our beloved friends…
One of the first things you have to consider is where are you going if disaster strikes. Now, we will take further on this in another post, but you have to consider it moreso when your pets are involved. Not all shelters will accept pets, yet there are usually pet shelters available depending on where you live. Oh yes, and they will fill quickly. There is also the possibility of friends and relatives, but you have to remember that this may be a greater imposition than what one has a right to expect.
Additionally, you need to make sure of a couple of things:
Make sure your pet is current on their vaccinations & that you have proof
of such, because the shelters will probably require this.
You’ll need a pet carrier. Because even though you may be at a pet
shelter, you pet will have to be caged, so make sure that it has
enough room.
Have a collar, leash and possibly even a current photo.
Ample food & water for your pet as well as yourself. You’ll also need food
& water bowls as well as any medications and also trash bags and
newspaper for clean-ups.
Don’t forget a favorite toy of your pet and possibly even their bed. Just
something to be a sort of stress-relief.
As the storm approaches, try to keep you pet calm. You should know how intuitive they are. They will sense an impending emergency in you, so that means that you have to try to remain calm as well.
After an experience like this, which may be somewhat traumatic for some animals, be careful until they are fully re-orientated back into their home.
Remember, this will be almost as stressful on your pet as it will be yourself.
But then again, let’s hope that you never need to implement any of these measures!!
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You're right... Let's hope one never has to use these measures! But this post is great for planning
M<arc, when we lived in Florida, one of the things that I was always grateful of is that I could pack up the pets and head north to either Atlanta, Chattanooga, or Tennessee if need be.
Another great information post Marc. I think you have a Ph.D in hurricaneology. Great thoughts on pets.
Judy - Thank you. I agree and tried to include as much info as I could think of.
Danny - You got a valid point, but sometimes it's hard to run away from the storm.
Gary - Thank you and you're too funny! I tried to be somewhat thorough.
Marc - good post. I just had my "herd" to the vet and vaccinated so I have current records.
Carol - Excellent! We have to take care of our 'kids.'
A lot of people forget that their pets can't go into some of those community shelters. It is good to make some sort of arrangement in advance, so you know where you can take them if the need arises.
Rob - Exactly!! A little advance planning will save a lot of trouble and possible chaos.
Hi Marc- I usually do a series as well. Havent had the chance to do so with the challenge. But great info here thanks!!!
Jeannette - Thank you! It was just something that I thought would be a good series and that I would be able to give a decent amount of helpful information.
Marc,
This is one of those needful things that often gets overlooked. Thanks for the post.
Audrey - My pleasure and I understand exactly what you are saying, that's why I wrote it.