Second Chance: Be Prepared, Disaster Planning for Pets!

23 Aug Second Chance: Be Prepared, Disaster Planning for Pets!

Second Chance Humane Society’s Animal Resource Center (SCHS) and Thrift Shops have been serving San Miguel, Ouray and Montrose Counties since 1994. The shelter is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday 11am – 5:30pm. Community veterinary services are available by appointment.

View shelter pets and services online: www.adoptmountainpets.org.

Donate here.

Go here for more options from Second Chance.

Floods, fires, hurricanes… our world is evolving. Weather events that were unfathomable 20 years ago are the new normal. Messages of preparedness are everywhere, and it is easy to feel overwhelmed by all that we need to do. We all need to plan for what we’ll do- just in case. Don’t forget your pets in your plan.

Here are some tips on how to protect your pets and be equipped to take your pets with you if you must evacuate your home.

Many emergency shelters or hotels do not admit pets, so it is important to find places in advance that do. Search now for local and out-of-area pet-friendly hotels. Also, check out boarding facilities, or make a housing exchange agreement with an out-of-area friend or relative.

If you are not home when an evacuation is ordered, make sure you have a plan with friends or neighbors to evacuate your pets. Exchange keys, give your friend your pets’ medical information, and share your emergency contact information.

Having an emergency kit assembled and ready for each pet is essential. It’s recommended to have two kits, one larger kit for sheltering in place and one lightweight version for evacuations.  Review your kits regularly to ensure that their contents, especially foods and medicines, are fresh. A kit should include (in an airtight waterproof container): several days’ supply of food, a water bowl, a supply of water, medicine your pet takes on a regular basis, a first aid kit, a collar with an ID tag, a harness or leash, a crate or sturdy carrier, ideally one for each pet, grooming items, sanitation needs (waste bags, pet litter, and litter box), and favorite toys, treats or bedding.

In case your pet is lost in an evacuation or disaster, make sure every pet is microchipped. Be sure to update your microchip registration when you move, change phone numbers, get a new emergency contact, or change veterinary clinics. In addition, keep an ID tag on your pets’ collars. Take photos of you with your pets so you can prove ownership if you are separated from your pets.

is all can seem overwhelming and stressful, but if you are faced with a disaster, your dear pets will be part of your plan. Start by doing one small thing today. Take one action that contributes to your readiness and encourage others to do the same.

For a more complete list of ways to be prepared, visit the Red Cross checklist for Pet Disaster Preparedness.

Aspen

Aspen is a six-year-old, 65-pound female cattle dog mix who is friendly, mellow, and loves people. Her coat is mostly white, and she has one brown eye and one blue eye. She will do best in a home that has no other female dogs.

AND… To continue the Second Chance Highlights section, we want to share the following:

The Happiest Update

Thanks to Our Community, Pasque is in His Forever Home

Remember Pasque?

He is a young cat who was found in the middle of the road and brought to Second Chance. Our team realized he had serious issues with his eyes- either because he’d been hit by a car or because of a birth defect. Pasque needed surgery by a board-certified ophthalmologist. We located a surgeon in Boulder and transported him to the front range. We raised money for his surgery from our wonderful community, and it was successful. He’s been loved and cared for in a foster home since his surgery.

The best news: He is officially adopted by his foster family!! Hooray for foster fails!

AOGO (Adopt One, Get One) Kittens is Back!

For the remainder of August, we are offering a two-fer adoption special for all kittens under 6 months old. We have so many kittens! Young, older, black, white, yellow, grey, or calico. Please open your heart and home to these babies.

Adoption Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 11am to 5:30pm