| When the earth shakes, the wind blows or the | | | | determine the shelter will withstand the |
| home is filled with the smell of smoke, most | | | | impending danger. If the facility is in the |
| people automatically shift into the | | | | path of destruction, boarding your pet there |
| self-preservation mode and scramble to | | | | will not remove the danger to them. You will |
| preserve their lives and the lives of others | | | | probably find that local shelters and kennels |
| in the family. Those who plan ahead and | | | | will be closed and not accepting business |
| develop contingencies for such emergency | | | | anyway. Additionally, kennels in neighboring |
| situations generally fare better than those | | | | towns that are not in harm's way will |
| who do not. Professionals in the emergency | | | | probably run out of vacancies very quickly. |
| disaster relief field promote emergency | | | | |
| evacuation plans for people, because they | | | | The best idea is to check with your local |
| work. | | | | shelter or chapter of the SPCA long before |
| | | | the need arises. They may already have all |
| But what about an emergency plan for our | | | | the information you need. |
| pets? They are family members too. Shouldn't | | | | |
| our plans for emergency evacuation include | | | | In the absence of having such information, it |
| them as well? Thousands of trusting, devoted | | | | is suggested that you keep your pet(s) with |
| pets are lost each year due to natural | | | | you. Recently there has been a awakening in |
| disasters such as hurricanes, floods and | | | | the motel/hotel industry to the importance of |
| fires, simply because their people did not | | | | pets to potential customers and more and more |
| have an emergency plan that included them. | | | | establishments are making provisions for |
| | | | animals. It should be relatively easy to find |
| With proper planning, many losses and much | | | | a motel that will accept your pet for very |
| heartache can be avoided. Having an emergency | | | | little additional expense. |
| evacuation plan in place that includes the | | | | |
| family pet does not require a lot of effort. | | | | - Ensure that your pet's vaccines are up to |
| It is a task that is very easy to accomplish. | | | | date and have that paperwork in a place where |
| The following information and tips are | | | | you can find it quickly if the need to |
| provided to help you develop such a plan. | | | | evacuate arises. If your evacuation occurs |
| | | | during the time the disaster is taking place |
| - Never leave your pet behind unless | | | | (i.e. the beginning of a hurricane, etc.) |
| circumstances absolutely prevent you from | | | | make sure your pet has a collar and that the |
| taking them. For instance, if the house is | | | | required tags are attached. Without meaning |
| crumbling beneath your feet during an | | | | any disrespect, it might be a good time to |
| earthquake and you can't find the cat, you | | | | treat your pet like a piece of luggage by |
| probably should get yourself and your family | | | | adding an information tag to the collar with |
| to safety first and then, if safe, return to | | | | your contact information and an alternate |
| find the cat later. The chances are that a | | | | family member's (outside the endangered zone) |
| cat or dog will manage to exit the house on | | | | contact information. In the event you are |
| their own accord in such a situation, because | | | | separated from your pet, this could be the |
| they don't want to be there either. | | | | one factor that ensures you are reunited. |
| | | | |
| In a situation where there is time to plan | | | | - Some organizations give advice for |
| your evacuation however, such as an | | | | situations where you have no choice but to |
| approaching fire-line or hurricane, pets | | | | leave your pet(s) at home. Except in those |
| should not be left behind. Their lives are as | | | | where circumstances prevent you from locating |
| vulnerable to these threats as humans and | | | | your pet and you must leave immediately (i.e. |
| they need to be protected. Even if they | | | | flood waters rising, etc.) such advice does |
| manage to survive, the chance of them running | | | | not resonate with this writer. As a member of |
| off and not being found is extremely high. If | | | | the family, they have an expectation of being |
| they are found, it will probably be animal | | | | important too. They depend upon you and you |
| control and in the aftermath of a natural | | | | can't let them down. |
| disaster, efforts for reuniting pets with | | | | |
| their people are not high on the agenda. | | | | Just a little effort today may save you a lot |
| | | | of heartache tomorrow. Take the time and |
| - Do not book your pet into a local kennel or | | | | draft a plan for pet evacuation. |
| temporary shelter unless local authorities | | | | |