With Hurricane Sandy blasting forward, it is an important time for all of us to take a moment to be sure we have an emergency plan in place for our loved ones- including our pets! Even if you do not live on the East Coast where Hurricane Sandy is quickly approaching, power outages are expected to hit as far as Ohio. West Virginia is estimated to receive 1-2 feet of sudden snow. If you live in the West, you are faced from time to time with tornados, wild fires and earthquakes. It is important for all of us, regardless of location, to properly prepare and to have an efficient, common sense emergency plan should Mother Nature strike, as she is doing on the East coast currently.
What are some important steps you can do now to prepare for possible future disasters?
-Microchip your pets and have your pets where proper, up to date identification at all times. Does your pets tag state your current phone number and address?
-Train your pet(s) to come to you regardless of distractions. Using a specific whistle or call – as you reward them with positive attention and their favorite treats- this can come in handy in a natural disaster when you are searching for your pets.
-Do you have a pet-friendly place to stay should disaster strike your town/home? This is important to have decided as a disaster preparedness plan.
-Do you have an emergency kit prepared for your pet? Be sure to include a minimum of one week of adequate food and water. Be sure to have a proper carrier and/or collar/leash ready at a moment’s notice.
-Do you know where in your area to go- to search for lost animals should a natural disaster strike?
-Do you keep a photo(s) of your pet(s) on your phone?
-Do you keep a decal/sign in a front house window that states you have pets and how many? This is important to do in the event of an emergency, so that professionals will know who is inside needing help.
There are many ways to prepare a disaster plan for your pets. What other tips do you have? Most importantly, use common sense. Life is precious and the most important element in any natural disaster is to keep you and your loved ones safe. By talking about possible disasters ahead of time, you can possible avoid disaster and keep you and your pets safe during a time of crises.
Hurricane Sandy is currently heading strong towards New York City and the Eastern coastline. You can follow live updates at this link: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/10/hurricane-sandy-live-updates/
