DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND YOUR PETS

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

It's that time of year again. Hurricanes. Did you know that 80% of the U.S. Population lives along our coastal areas? So you don't live in coastal area. Coastal States such as California and Florida are the best prepared. I live in Ohio. No problem. Only we have fires, ice storms, power outages, tornados, flooding, and hazardous material spills all which require preparation and quick evacuation. Ohio is on one of the worst fault lines , yet we are not known for earthquakes. Most of us carry a false sense of security. It won't happen to us, it never happens here.

What would you do if you had to evacuate NOW. Are you prepared to take your animals with you at a moments notice? Where would you take your animals if you could not take them with you?

Since the heartache, pain, and suffering of Katrina many areas realize that disasters not only involve humans but humans and their pets. Most people will NOT EVACUATE if they can not take their pets.

Please take just a few moments to read what to do with your pets. You owe this to them. This should be mandatory. Make your kit and set it aside and don't worry about it............ Just be prepared.

The first web site is one I hope to do my internship with and it is a simple read. The 2nd is FEMA, which has dedicated countless hours and time to develop web information to help us and our pets.

http://www.careoh.org/

http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/animals.shtm

Thank you :)

If you have any other information or websites with good information please let me know.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

This is why everyone should remind the Doodles that are no longer crated that crates are their friend! I couldn't get Samantha in a crate with her highest food reward or even a ball!! That is scary - if GF she ever had to be in one (vet or hurricane, which is likely here in NJ but you never know) she would probably have to be sedated just to get her in one. I am not making that mistake with Charli.

Hope everyone stays safe and dry!!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Good Morning Heather,

Since Florida is a State which has great plans in place for these types of situations you may have a CARE--County Animals Rescue and Evacuation. Since this is somewhat new, many don't or their EMA'S have not recognized them yet. I hope everyone will find the number to their Disaster Animal Shelters ( not the same as a regular shelter ) and keep them posted with other emergency numbers. Find out what you will need to evacuate your pet and take them with you or where you can take them for a few days if taking them with you is not possible. You may never need them but when you do, you may not have the time to look.

Hoping you and yours are safe and dry in the Sunshine State.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Adrianne,
Samantha will get in a crate if the waters were rising--only because I can see you pushing her butt in there! Don't mess with the Moma when she has her mind set on something!!!

Spud seems to be in a crate less and less, so I think I will start putting more treats in there as a friendly reminder that this crate is a safe and good place. Thanks

[Adina P]

Yeah, in an emergency I don't care IF my dogs want to go into a crate...they are going IN if necessary whether they feel like it or not. When Clark got Thule and I'd have to dog sit for him while he was away...I'd go to his place in the morning and let her out and then it was a struggle to get her to go back in (she was 11 months and despite the rescue being told she was crate trained...she was NOT). I literally had to push her butt in as there was no other option.

[sandy b]

Crates are a necessity in an emergency. We had to evacuate for hurricane Charley in 2004 and at the time had a dog and cat plus 2 cats belong to a best friend who was out of town. I can't imagine trying to get them all loaded in the car w/o crates!!