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2005 Hurricane Season leaves behind valuable lessons on being prepared
A year ago this August, Hurricane Katrina roared into the Gulf Force with a fury never been seen before. One of the hardest hit victims of this monster storm were the animals. People lost their lives trying to stay with and save their family companions because they refused to leave them behind. This year a new law will be in place preventing this from happening again. 10 Months later they are still dealing with the problems left behind from that storm including the animals that survived and have been separated from their loved ones, the swelling animal populations because of un-neutered strays that had to be left behind and survived. You can still go to websites and find photos of animal companions that people are trying to find, horrible photos of animals left behind that did not survive and adoption success stories for those that have found new homes all over the country. The one thing this massive storm showed was that the connection between people and their animal companions will transcend peoples concern for their own safety. The new laws should change some of these problems but being prepared for this hurricane season is just as important.
Disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, wildfires, and mudslides often give little or no warning. Although we can predict approximately where a hurricane will hit there are always last minute changes to the weather patterns. Tornadoes are disastrous since there is often little or no warning. Often times being prepared ahead of time can spell the difference between surviving and not for people and their companions.
Good Disaster Planning saves lives
Remember that good disaster planning takes every possibility into consideration. For example, traffic accidents involving hazardous trucks can close streets and neighborhoods many miles away. What will you do if you can't get home to care for your pet? Make plans ahead of time. Arrange for a trusted neighbor who is frequently at home to evacuate your pets if an evacuation order is issued and you are at work. Keep a three-day supply of your pet's food, medicines, leash, veterinary records, and other necessities altogether in a pet carrier that's ready to go.
FEMA recommendations
There are some simple steps that all pet owners can take in order to prepare for disasters:
Contact your local animal shelter, humane society, veterinarian or emergency management office for information on caring for pets in an emergency. Find out if there will be any shelters set-up to take pets in an emergency. Also, see if your veterinarian will accept your pet in an emergency.
Make sure your pet has a properly fitted collar that includes current license and rabies tags. Consider having your pet identified through microchip technology. Your local veterinarian can assist you in finding a location that provides this service.
Contact motels and hotels in communities outside of your area and find out if they will accept pets in an emergency.
During a disaster, bring your pets inside. Never leave a pet outside or tied up during a storm. If you leave your home after a disaster, take your pets with you. Always be aware that your pets behavior may change before, during, and after a disaster.
Why Pet Owners Must Plan
Public shelters for people will not always accept pets. Most won't.
If you wait until the last minute to evacuate, you may have no choice but to go to a public shelter.
If such a situation should force you to leave pets behind, please prepare your children and other family members for the fact that their pets may not survive or may be irretrievably lost before you are able or permitted to return to your home.
There is no way to know how long it will be before you are permitted back after the storm. Frightened animals quickly slip out open doors, broken windows or other damaged areas of your home opened by the storm.
Lost pets are likely to die from exposure, starvation, predators, contaminated food and water and on the road where they can endanger others.
Even normally friendly animals of different species should not be allowed together unattended since the stress of the storm may cause distinct behavior changes.
REMEMBER: If you must evacuate then conditions are not only unsafe for you but unsafe for other living creatures as well!!!
Develop Your Written Plan Now
A written DISASTER PLAN will help you and your pets survive.
Identify your evacuation area and level to determine if and when you would have to evacuate.
If you are located in a storm surge flood plain, the decision to evacuate will depend on the category of the storm. Always prepare for one category higher than the one being forecast. A hurricane often increases in strength just before making landfall.
Your goal should be to evacuate to a safe location.
Friends or relatives in a safe area are your best choice.
If they are unable to house both you and your pets, arrange shelter for your pets at a veterinarian or kennel close to your evacuation location so that you will be able to have as much contact with them as possible. You and your pets will fare better if you are together.
If you plan to go to a motel, determine in advance whether pets are welcome and what, if any, special rules are applicable.
Make plans well in advance of the hurricane season for cows, horses, sheep, etc.
Planning ahead is vital to keeping your animal safe during a disaster.
Below are some additional tips that will reduce the risk to your companion animals.
1. Always keep a collar (break-away type) and tag on animals, even ones that never go outdoors.
2. Identify several possible locations to take your animals should you have to evacuate.
3. Start a buddy system in your neighborhood so someone will check on your animals if youre not there.
4. Have a least a weeks supply of food and water on hand.
5. Have several pictures of your animals available.
6. Check with your veterinarian to see if he or she has a disaster plan.
7. If your animal is on medication, keep an emergency supply on hand.
8. Have a cat carrier ready to evacuate each cat.
9. Have a harness or leash for each dog in your household.
10. Also have a proper length stake out chain for dogs.
11. Ensure that falling debris cannot reach your dog on an outside run.
12. Provide plenty of comfort to your animals during an emergency
We would like to thank FEMA for the photographs of animal rescues.
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Links
Be a Lifesaver: Disaster Planning Can Save Your Pet in an Emergency
Pets: Before and After a Disaster Strikes
Pinellas County, Florida Hurricane Preparedness Handbook
Shelter From the Storm: Broward County, Florida Humane Society Hurricane Preparedness Guide
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