Second Chance: Emergency Preparedness for Companion Animals

06 Jun Second Chance: Emergency Preparedness for Companion Animals

With recent wildfires raging in the region and the weather pointing to a high risk for more, Second Chance Humane Society has been hearing from concerned pet parents as to how to be better prepared for emergency situations.

Our next few Pet Columns will be devoted to this topic, but know that your participation level will measure our effectiveness. We are not trying to incite anxiety by discussing such topics, instead the goal is to help you feel more prepared should the need arise.

Star

Let’s begin by developing your emergency evacuation plan, the foundation of which is becoming equipped to take your pets with you if you must evacuate your home. If it is not safe for you to be at home is it not safe for your pets. Make sure you have a detailed plan as to where you can safely bring your pets.

Pet-friendly accommodations can be found on the Internet by not only searching on local and out-of-area pet-friendly hotels, but also on boarding facilities. But more ideal is to make agreements with friends or relatives in other regions who will accept your animals.

Locally you should also start a neighbor buddy system and exchange keys, pet medical information and emergency plans with someone who can evacuate your animals if you are away from home when disaster strikes.

Part of your planning should also consider unfortunate situations such as your pet escaping or getting lost in transit in the chaos of an evacuation, particularly if you are not home during the evacuation. Make sure your pets are microchipped and that you have updated their microchip registration and I.D. tags with your current contact information.

Verify that your pets are also current on their vaccinations and that you have access to these records on your phone.

Many shelters and boarding facilities will require all that information before accepting pets.

You should also make sure you carry photos of your pets with you or on your mobile phone. Such photos may be necessary to prove ownership if you are separated from your pets.

After the pet disaster of Hurricane Katrina, some of which could have been avoided had pets been allowed to be evacuated with their people, and the passing of the Pets Evacuation and Standards Act (PETS passed in 2006), including pets in disaster planning has improved.

But not enough.

Keep in mind that the PETS Act is operational only when a federal disaster declaration has been made and, although it requires that state and local emergency preparedness plans address the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals, it does not change the fact that rural shelters and related resources are scarce and simply may not accept pets.

My name is Star. I am a 5-month, handsome boy cattle dog mix who enjoys playing with others and burning off some energy.

I get 5 stars (out of 5 of course) for my sweet attitude, but only about a 3 on my basic training (but I am picking it up fast!). Pending emergency or no – my bags are packed and waiting for someone to come and adopt me…Come meet me today.

I would also recommend Kit Kat, a beautiful 7-years-young female feline here at Second Chance.

Kit Kat

Kit Kat is very independent and enjoys doing her own thing, which often includes laying in the middle of the floor where the most people and dogs are located so she can observe and participate should the mood arise.

Vetting the Vet: Dr. Michelle Dally, DVM, J.D. is Medical Director of Second Chance Humane Society. She also has a private practice, Dally Veterinary Medicine, 333 S. Elizabeth Street, Ridgway, Colorado. Her service area is  San Miguel Mesas, Placerville, Ridgway, Ouray, and Montrose. For more on Dr. Dally, go here.

Michelle & Wallowby