Disaster Preparation For Your Dog - Part II
This is the second part of What to do with your dog in case of a disaster. This is a subject thateven when many dog lovers don’t want to think about, it is as important or even more important than just feeding or taking your dog to the vet.
Being a responsible dog owner involves knowing what to do in case of a disaster. Don’t let an unexpected situation separate you from your flurry friend.
Here is your article:
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Title: If Your Dog Safe Is A Disaster Strikes Your Town?
Author: Dr. Mayra Alfonso
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Prior to Hurricane Katrina, there was no law that said that all pets and service animals needed to be evacuated, rescued, and sheltered during an emergency or disaster. When the deadly storm Katrina hit the state of Louisiana, an estimated of 600,000 animals were left behind, deserted, and thousands died from drowning, starvation, and sickness.
This was a very sad, and pathetic situation, both for the dog owners and for the pets, including dogs, cats and many other pets.
One good thing came out of this experience. The devastating effect of the Katrina storm has prompted the government, both local and federal, to either change their policies or create new ones to include the safety of the pets and service animals. Not only that, but different agencies are also teaming up with the government and local animal rescues to protect our pets in times of disasters.
Our pets depend on us for their safety and survival, there is no way around this. If we are not there, or at least a friend or a family member, our dogs will not be able to survive for too long. Cats, on the other hand, are more independent and might be able to survive longer than dogs in the case that their owners are not able to get to them.
As pet owners, we have the obligation to know what to do in case a disaster strikes. Because of our human nature we want to believe that disaster won’t hit again, but we are very far from the truth.
Whether they are natural disasters such as fires, storms and floods, or man-made disasters such as terrorist attacks, the best way to beat it and come out it safe is through proper planning.
Having a good plan of action guarantees the safety and survival of you, your family, and your dogs.
The best time to think about the safety of your dog is before a disaster strikes. Proper planning and preparation is the key to keeping your dog safe and secured during this frightening time. If we wait until a disaster strikes, we might be too nervous or anxious to know exactly what to do at the time.
Keep in mind the following safety measures:
1. Crate train your dog. In case of an emergency or disaster, you should be able to put your dog in the crate as soon as possible and without difficulty.
2. You may have to ask a neighbor, a friend or a family member to help you with the evacuation, especially if you have more than one pet.
3. Plan ahead of time. If you are away from your home and a disaster strikes, designate someone who can go to your house as soon as possible to rescue your dogs. It might be good to leave a key of your house to someone you trust, so they don’t have any problems getting in.
4. Know ahead of time where you are taking your dog, during and after the disaster, until you can safely go back to your home. This might be a kennel, a veterinarian office, a friend or family member house that does not live in the disaster area.
5. Do not wait until it is too late. Leave your house as soon as you receive the notice to evacuate. Never wait until the last minute. If you wait too late, you might not have time to take some of the valuable things you might want to take with you, like pictures, certificates, etc. You also might run into the problem of running out of gas in your car, and not been able to fill up gas if the gas stations have none left.
6. Even if the disaster does not strike, evacuation is still necessary until you are absolutely sure that you and your pets are going to be safe.
7. Keep a disaster supply kit for your dog in a convenient location in the house. Among these important items be sure to include food and water (at least 3 days supply for each pet), a first aid kit, crate, can opener, leashes and harnesses, and newspaper or potty pads.
Finally, make sure that your dog wears an ID tag with it’s name and a current phone number securely fastened to his collar. This number should be to a cell phone that you carry with you at all times. If the ID tag has space, you might want to add the number of a friend or family that does not live in the same area as you.
Have a great Cool Dog day,
Dr. Mayra Alfonso
