Be Prepared!!!... a little long.. but worthwhile

[Shelby&Seymour]

With the tragedy of tornados and deadly storms that recently roared thru the South.... I thought I would post this as a reminder:

WHEN DISASTER STRIKES
Will you be prepared?
Many people do not think to plan ahead for a disaster or emergency.
Instead, they are over whelmed, when disaster does strike.

When preparing for a disaster, be sure to plan and make arrangements for your pets as well.

Take your pets with you.
Although animals are not currently allowed in evacuation shelters, times are changing. Ask your vet ahead of time about boarding your animals during a disaster. Do not wait until your are told to evacuate to try and make arrangements.
Have a plan.
If you are normally away from home during the day, make arrangements with a neighbor to account for and secure your pets.
Make sure your pet has a permanent ID.
Most animals will survive a disaster, but will never be reunited with their families because they were not wearing their ID collars. Collars can also come off so it is best to have your animal either tattooed or microchipped for positive ID.
Keep vaccination and health record current.
Diseases can spread very quickly during flooding. Help your pet survive by insuring they are current on all shots.
Have a way to restrain you pet.
Even obedient dogs can panic during a storm. Keep leashes and a crate or carrier at hand where it can be accessed quickly. At hand does not mean, stored in the rafters out in the garage. A harness makes a better restraint than a collar, should the dog panic.
Emergency supplies.
Just as you would keep a supply of fresh water and food on hand for your family, be sure you have food and water stored for your pets also. Keep several days worth of food and safe drinking water as well as any necessary medications packed and ready to go. If your pet uses canned food, be sure to include a can opener and a spoon.
First aid kit and directions.
It is very easy to make your own first aid kit or you can purchase one already made up. Most items will be useful for both animals and humans. Keep a first aid book with your supplies, don't try to rely on memory in an emergency. "Help! The quick Guide to First Aid for Your Dog" by Veterinarian Michelle Bamberger (Howell/Macmillan) is excellent, well organized and easy to follow.
"Lost Dog" kit.
Don't wait until it happens. During a disaster, it may be hard to get flyers printed so do them ahead of time. Should you and your pet become separated, you will be prepared. Keep the posters and a loaded staple gun with your other supplies. Offering a "Reward" is normally helpful. Remember to put poster at all local veterinary offices and well as the local animal shelters.

[Julie1760]

Great Post!!!

We live in Wisconsin and don't get too much bad weather, but I have an emergency kit in each vehicle and in the basement just in case.

[tmatherly]

Great Post! We just dodged that storm! It came through here and then promptly escalated to that bad tornado Tuesday. I was thanking the Lord over and over that we were safe here. Our house is like a sitting duck...kinda all by itself in the middle of a field.

[yorkiesmiles]

Great Post!! I need to print this out!! And e-mail it to others!

[Yorkie Mom2]

This is our second close call in two years. I've never even planned or thought about it! I feel so guilty One of ours is microchipped, the other has no permanent id at all. Our news channels have shown dogs wandering around the disaster area. One even looked like a yorkie The dogs are following around anyone who looks at them. This was a few days ago. Police are only letting survivors showing proof of residence into the area. Hopefully some of the dogs belong to them.

[chachi]

Great info!

[meglaulanmar]

My parents, my 2 very small children and myself were all in my parent's house in April of 1996 when a cat. 5 tornado tore through their house. I had just gone outside to get my contacts out of the car and I had the most eerie feeling. This was a small town in Arkansas where you could always hear dogs barking but you could hear a pin drop mile away! I put my kids in my parent's walk in closet (even though at that time no news caster or doppler showed rotation or poss. tornado) as soon as I did, my brother's boxer and our min. schnauzer layed on top of the babies (age 1 and 2)! I started to get them off but I realized they knew something we didn't. Then a weather man Austin Onek(sp?) said take cover...no matter what the nat'l weather service is saying...i'm saying there is a tornado going to hit. W/in minutes it was hitting out house! We walked out of the closet and out of the bedroom into a GIANT tree (me in my nursing gown and no shoes) Thank God for my dogs being smarter than most of the weather people and thank God for Austin Onek, it hit at the 10oclock news time and a lot of people were watching him, so very few people were killed compared to the size of the tornado and the length of it's path!

However boarding a pet in a disaster seems weird? How do you know the vet or boarding place won't get hit? hmmm... just food for thought!

[Shelby&Seymour]

Severe weather again.... thought this one deserves a BUMP!!

Originally Posted by Shelby&Seymour

With the tragedy of tornados and deadly storms that recently roared thru the South.... I thought I would post this as a reminder:

WHEN DISASTER STRIKES
Will you be prepared?
Many people do not think to plan ahead for a disaster or emergency.
Instead, they are over whelmed, when disaster does strike.

When preparing for a disaster, be sure to plan and make arrangements for your pets as well.

Take your pets with you.
Although animals are not currently allowed in evacuation shelters, times are changing. Ask your vet ahead of time about boarding your animals during a disaster. Do not wait until your are told to evacuate to try and make arrangements.
Have a plan.
If you are normally away from home during the day, make arrangements with a neighbor to account for and secure your pets.
Make sure your pet has a permanent ID.
Most animals will survive a disaster, but will never be reunited with their families because they were not wearing their ID collars. Collars can also come off so it is best to have your animal either tattooed or microchipped for positive ID.
Keep vaccination and health record current.
Diseases can spread very quickly during flooding. Help your pet survive by insuring they are current on all shots.
Have a way to restrain you pet.
Even obedient dogs can panic during a storm. Keep leashes and a crate or carrier at hand where it can be accessed quickly. At hand does not mean, stored in the rafters out in the garage. A harness makes a better restraint than a collar, should the dog panic.
Emergency supplies.
Just as you would keep a supply of fresh water and food on hand for your family, be sure you have food and water stored for your pets also. Keep several days worth of food and safe drinking water as well as any necessary medications packed and ready to go. If your pet uses canned food, be sure to include a can opener and a spoon.
First aid kit and directions.
It is very easy to make your own first aid kit or you can purchase one already made up. Most items will be useful for both animals and humans. Keep a first aid book with your supplies, don't try to rely on memory in an emergency. "Help! The quick Guide to First Aid for Your Dog" by Veterinarian Michelle Bamberger (Howell/Macmillan) is excellent, well organized and easy to follow.
"Lost Dog" kit.
Don't wait until it happens. During a disaster, it may be hard to get flyers printed so do them ahead of time. Should you and your pet become separated, you will be prepared. Keep the posters and a loaded staple gun with your other supplies. Offering a "Reward" is normally helpful. Remember to put poster at all local veterinary offices and well as the local animal shelters.

[JPop & Taz 2]

Thanks! We're having bad weather here again today! These little reminders might just save someone's baby.

[Sherryabear]

Great post.
Since we live in a hurricane area, we leave if one is even threatning to come close. Parker will be with us, and I have charted our route and looked up pet friendly hotels and printed the list and keep it in my vehicle.

I also have a sign close to my back door incase of fire , to get my pet out.

Thanks for posting this.

[JPop & Taz 2]

Originally Posted by Sherryabear

Great post.
Since we live in a hurricane area, we leave if one is even threatning to come close. Parker will be with us, and I have charted our route and looked up pet friendly hotels and printed the list and keep it in my vehicle.

I also have a sign close to my back door incase of fire , to get my pet out.

Thanks for posting this.

Where can I get an incase of fire sign? I really need those too.

[Sherryabear]

The ASPCA web site has the free decals that you put on your door for incase of fire. It lets them know you have pets inside.
I worry because sometimes Parker is home alone in his x-pen.

I had mine already but I noticed that Parker's vet also has them for free at his office.

[Lou]

My mother, son, daughter-in-law, grandson and grand-dog lost everything they had during Hurricane Charlie. Hurricane Ivan came a few days later and took what was left. They all huddled in the bathroom thinking they could wait it out because they couldn't take their dog with them. It was terrifying and they will evacuate no matter what if they are told to in the future. You should see their laundry room now! They can grab everything they need as they run out the door. They ARE ready. Thank God they weren't killed and they learned their lesson.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by meglaulanmar

My parents, my 2 very small children and myself were all in my parent's house in April of 1996 when a cat. 5 tornado tore through their house. I had just gone outside to get my contacts out of the car and I had the most eerie feeling. This was a small town in Arkansas where you could always hear dogs barking but you could hear a pin drop mile away! I put my kids in my parent's walk in closet (even though at that time no news caster or doppler showed rotation or poss. tornado) as soon as I did, my brother's boxer and our min. schnauzer layed on top of the babies (age 1 and 2)! I started to get them off but I realized they knew something we didn't. Then a weather man Austin Onek(sp?) said take cover...no matter what the nat'l weather service is saying...i'm saying there is a tornado going to hit. W/in minutes it was hitting out house! We walked out of the closet and out of the bedroom into a GIANT tree (me in my nursing gown and no shoes) Thank God for my dogs being smarter than most of the weather people and thank God for Austin Onek, it hit at the 10oclock news time and a lot of people were watching him, so very few people were killed compared to the size of the tornado and the length of it's path!

However boarding a pet in a disaster seems weird? How do you know the vet or boarding place won't get hit? hmmm... just food for thought!

You cant know thats why Callie would be with me no matter what!

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

You cant know thats why Callie would be with me no matter what!

I also meant to add what a great story about the dogs doing that and I'm glad you all were ok.