Keeping your best friend safe in a disaster is easier if you plan ahead. Put together a kit with all the important supplies, then make sure you take your four-footed companion and get out of harm's way in plenty of time to keep you both safe.
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This coming week we’ll see the official start of the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which runs from June First through November 30th, but for folks in Texas and Oklahoma torrential rain and flooding have already claimed lives and destroyed property. Most of us remember the catastrophic 2005 Hurricane Season, with a record number of named storms. That was the year of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans and gave us such heart-wrenching images of people and pets stranded by the waters.
The Humane Society of the United States recommends assembling an emergency kit for your pet so you’ll be prepared if you have to evacuate. First on the list of items for the kit is sufficient food and water for at least five days. Don’t forget feeding bowls, and a non-electric can opener if you pack canned food.
Another important item is medication that your pet might need, stored in a container that’s waterproof. A first aid kit for your pet is a good idea, and you might want to include a book on first aid for pets.
For dogs, you’ll definitely need a leash. And a carrier is a must for cats, but if you can include a carrier for your dog it may come in handy if you have to confine it for some reason.
Again for cats, you’ll want to pack some litter and a litter box. A dog collar or cat harness should have ID information so someone can help your pet get home if it becomes lost. And don’t forget a container to hold everything so you can just grab it and go in an emergency.
In addition to the pet emergency kit, you should have a plan – a place you know you can go, with your pet. The most important part of your plan is knowing when to put it into action. If you wait too long, you may not be able to get out of the danger area with your furry friend, putting both of you at great risk.
For more information on disaster planning for your pet, visit the Humane Society of the United Stateswebsite, the ASPCAwebsite or the American Humane Association website. Being prepared for a disaster could help you keep your best friend alive and safe, when you’re speaking of pets.
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