Saving Pets in Disasters Requires Planning Ahead
By: Phillip Nunemacher
Most people do not plan for unexpected events. Disasters–natural or man-made–are totally unexpected events. With any disaster, planning is the key to survival and recovery.
While you are planning for your family’s survival, remember
that your pets depend upon you. A disaster is as stressful to your pets as it is to you. The love shared with your pets can help reduce the stress of a disaster, for you, your family, and your pets.
You should prepare a disaster kit for your pets just as you prepare one for yourself. Your dog or cat should have a collar with a current license. Consider having an identification chip implanted in your pet. The following list of items is the minimum that you should have for each animal.
Copies of current veterinary records
Extra dishes for food and water
A minimum 3-day supply of food and water
An extra supply of medications
Current photographs and records and other identification
A portable carrier
Leashes and a rope to construct a temporary dog run
Favorite toys
Bedding material
Shelter from inclement weather
If you would like further information for surviving a disaster, get Survive Disaster! A CD with over 600 megabytes of text, pictures, checklists, multi-media and website links.
Copyright 2006 Phillip Nunemacher
Phillip Nunemacher is co-author of Survive Disaster! and trained in disaster preparedness by the US Air Force. To learn more about him you will find his blog at http://muttersandmusing.blogspot.com/
You can purchase Survive Disaster! at Quail Publishing.