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Tips on how to take care of your pet during a natural disaster
After Katrina in 2005, national legislation in the form of the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006 was passed as people put their own safety at risk to save their pets — some search and rescue groups estimate that 25-30 percent of all casualties in Katrina were related to pets (eg. not wanting to abandon or be separated from their pets).
The Act indicates that a city or state must have a plan that includes pets in order to qualify for FEMA funding.
While the Gulf Coast states have aggressively been working and improving their ways to help people and their pets, natural disasters of all types occur across the country.
Here are some suggestions relative to evacuation:
1. Have a plan. Know evacuation routes and emergency shelter sites. Know where pet friendly hotels (or pet friendly relatives) are as well as pet emergency shelters (make sure they are open before you go).
2. Take your pets with you.
3. Most states (those that want to ever want to receive FEMA money) have plans and shelters for pets. You go in one shelter, your pet in another (most states are trying to locate these in close proximity to each other). Red Cross does not allow pets (unless special needs, eg. blind) in shelters. There are “intake” personnel getting all the appropriate information at the pet shelters so you can later claim your pet.
4. Make sure your pet is up to date on vaccinations—in pet shelters there will be a number of pets. Make sure they have a current rabies tag. Bring proof from your vet of vaccinations if possible.
5. Make sure your cell phone number is on the collar/tag and, if possible, your pet has a microchip (register the number nationally)
6. Bring food (3-7 days worth of food and water)—especially if your pet eats a special food, water, MEDICINE, and bowls that have your ID on them. Plus, litter/litter box and plastic bags for waste. If you live in a high risk area, pre-pack this so it is ready.
7. Bring a crate, if you have one, with your ID (name, address, cell, pet’s name) on it.
8. Bring a picture of you and your pet (helps to prove the pet is yours).
9. Bring a few toys so your pet has something that it is familiar with it.
10. Go to your state’s website and know what emergency programs there are.
(Texas –Governor’s Emergency Plan for Pets - ftp://ftp.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/hurrweek/Pets.pdf; Texas - http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center; National http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/pets.pdf.)
The Act indicates that a city or state must have a plan that includes pets in order to qualify for FEMA funding.
While the Gulf Coast states have aggressively been working and improving their ways to help people and their pets, natural disasters of all types occur across the country.
Here are some suggestions relative to evacuation:
1. Have a plan. Know evacuation routes and emergency shelter sites. Know where pet friendly hotels (or pet friendly relatives) are as well as pet emergency shelters (make sure they are open before you go).
2. Take your pets with you.
3. Most states (those that want to ever want to receive FEMA money) have plans and shelters for pets. You go in one shelter, your pet in another (most states are trying to locate these in close proximity to each other). Red Cross does not allow pets (unless special needs, eg. blind) in shelters. There are “intake” personnel getting all the appropriate information at the pet shelters so you can later claim your pet.
4. Make sure your pet is up to date on vaccinations—in pet shelters there will be a number of pets. Make sure they have a current rabies tag. Bring proof from your vet of vaccinations if possible.
5. Make sure your cell phone number is on the collar/tag and, if possible, your pet has a microchip (register the number nationally)
6. Bring food (3-7 days worth of food and water)—especially if your pet eats a special food, water, MEDICINE, and bowls that have your ID on them. Plus, litter/litter box and plastic bags for waste. If you live in a high risk area, pre-pack this so it is ready.
7. Bring a crate, if you have one, with your ID (name, address, cell, pet’s name) on it.
8. Bring a picture of you and your pet (helps to prove the pet is yours).
9. Bring a few toys so your pet has something that it is familiar with it.
10. Go to your state’s website and know what emergency programs there are.
(Texas –Governor’s Emergency Plan for Pets - ftp://ftp.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/hurrweek/Pets.pdf; Texas - http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center; National http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/pets.pdf.)
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