16 Jul Second Chance: Disaster Plan for Pets!
Since 1994, the Animal Resource Center and the Shops of Second Chance Humane Society have been dedicated to serving animals in Southwestern Colorado. Adoption hours are every day from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The facility is located at 177 County Rd 10, Ridgway, CO. View shelter pets and services online at secondchancehumane.org.
View shelter pets and services online at www.secondchancehumane.org.
View shelter pets and services online: www.adoptmountainpets.org.
Donate here or mail to: PO Box 2096, Ridgway, CO, 81432.
Second Chance is actively looking for fosters. Interested parties should email foster@secondchancehumane.org
Note: Second Chance is recruiting emergency foster homes. These would be short-term homes for pets who cannot be with their people for temporary reasons (eviction, evacuation, etc). If you can help, email: foster@secondchancehumane.org
Note:For a more complete list of ways to prepare, visit the American Humane Society checklist for Pet Disaster Preparedness.
forGo here for more about Second Chance.
Our hearts go out to those in our community who are affected by the burning wildfires. If you have not yet been evacuated, you are likely thinking and planning for “what if”. When planning, don’t forget your pets.
Many emergency shelters or hotels do not allow 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, water, medicine your pet takes regularly, 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 animal is microchipped. Update your microchip registration when you move, change your phone number, add a new emergency contact, or switch veterinary clinics. In addition, keep an ID tag on your pets’ collars. Take photos of yourself with your pets so you can prove ownership if you are separated.
So, planning is great, but what if you’re in the midst of a disaster and haven’t planned?
If you must evacuate, but can’t find your pet in your home, leave an escape route through an open window or door, so your pet won’t be trapped. Pets have a higher chance of survival if they have a means of escape from an enclosed space.
If your pets are outdoors and there’s a chance that you’ll need to evacuate, bring them inside and put them in an enclosed room. That way, you can easily crate them for evacuation. Keep collars and leashes handy for another way to contain them.
What if this all happens so fast, and you don’t have carriers for your dogs or cats? For dogs, a well-fitted collar/harness and leash can get them to the car to evacuate. If a carrier is necessary for smaller dogs, a sturdy duffle bag or a backpack with good ventilation works as a last-resort option. Ensure the bag can be securely closed, but still allows airflow.
For cats, in an extreme emergency, a duffle bag or even a knotted pillowcase can be used for short-distance evacuation. That is not ideal for long-term transport, but it offers a way to move the cat without it escaping or harming you. You can create an impromptu cat or small dog carrier by tying two laundry baskets together with strong string or wire, ensuring proper ventilation. If no carrier alternative is available and evacuation is immediate, try to secure the cat in your arms or under your coat, prioritizing your and the cat’s safety.
Tiny
Tiny is a two-year-old, blue-eyed beauty who weighs just six pounds. She should be the only cat in the home.
No Comments