National Pet Preparedness Month

Happy Mondo Missy Monday, pet people!

Thanks for hitting us up once again for another post from Missy's Blog.  We're still your premiere source for fun and informative animal topics.  With the hurricane season now in effect, and summer nearly upon us, tropical storms and hurricanes are a very real possibility for those of us in coastal areas.  So, what better month than June to celebrate Pet Preparedness Month?  Like its September counterpart for humans, (Preparedness Month), June's emphasis on Pet Preparedness centers on having a plan in place for your pets in the even of a natural disaster.  Of course, there are many other disaster or extreme weather scenarios besides hurricanes--earthquakes, floods, mudslides, blizzards, tornadoes, wildfires, etc.  And God forbid, there could even be situations that are non-natural disaster  related that could require an emergency plan of action for yourself and your pets.

Do you have a disaster plan for your pet if you live in places prone to wildfires?

Below is a list of tips that will be useful to have on hand if you are a pet parent, in the event of some kind of disaster.  Today's Natural Disaster Tips are courtesy of Pet Poison Hotline:

https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/blog/national-pet-preparedness-month/

1. Identification:

Perhaps one of the most important ways to be prepared is to have your pets properly identified. Make sure your pet is microchipped and, if they do not have one yet, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to have one put in place. A microchip is a small device about the size of a grain of rice that is implanted between your pets’ shoulder blades. The device can be scanned at a veterinary office or animal shelter and will display life saving information like your address and phone number. Remember that if you move or change numbers to also let your microchip company know so that they can update their records! Make sure identification tags are current and easy to read. Another helpful tip is to include information such as whether they need medication, or if they do not like other animals, on their tag to help emergency personnel know what type of care they need while they work on reconnecting you. It is also a good idea to have a current photo of you and your pet tucked away in their emergency kit. It could come in handy should you have to show a shelter employee or emergency worker in order to identify your pet.

2. Know where to go:

If you area is prone to flooding, wildfires, or any other type of natural disaster where you may have to evacuate, it is important to find a place outside of the area where you can take your pets with you. Whether you bring them to a friend or family member’s home, or to one of many pet friendly hotels, it is a good idea to have a list of options and contact numbers for where you might go. And remember – if you need to leave your home because the electricity is out and it too hot or too cold for you to stay, it is the same for your pets, don’t leave them behind!

3. Stay together:

Natural disasters can be frightening for us and even more chaotic for our pets. When transporting them, and for a few days after a disaster, it is important to have them on leash at all times while you are outside. Often times your area may have different smells that may lure pets away, or dangerous debris that they can get into. If your home has been damaged, remember to keep cats in a carrier or confined to an undamaged area of your home, they can surprise you with how small of an area they can squeeze through.

4. Make a kit:

A pre-made kit can prove to be vital should you have to evacuate your home. Good items to keep in your pet’s kit include a few days worth of food, bottles of water, extra medication, copies of veterinary records, poop bags, cat litter and pan, sturdy leashes and collars, first aid kit (comes in handy for people too!), list of pet friendly hotels, dishes, and if they have a favorite type of treat or toy it never hurts to have an extra packed away for emergencies! There are many other items that are good to have; create your kit for your pet’s individual need and remember you can never be too prepared!

5. Know who to contact:

If a disaster hits while you are at work or away from your home, it is a great idea to discuss a plan of action in advance with a neighbor or nearby friend or family member. Agreeing that if one of you cannot make it back home that the other will bring your pets and their emergency kit will make the situation much less hectic. Make sure to have updated stickers on your front door letting emergency personal know how many pets are in the home should they need to get in to rescue them. Keep your veterinary clinic, pet friendly hotels, and the Pet Poison Helpline numbers handy so you are prepared for any situation you may encounter.

Hopefully none of us will ever have to go through a disaster situation, but it's always better to be safe than sorry.  Why not take steps to get your disaster plan in place and make your pet's disaster kit today?  Once it's made, you'll feel a lot better--just in case.

Well, that's it for today, Missians.  Here's to wishing you all a wonderful week ahead.  I'll see you all back here again on Friday for our next Pretty Kitty of the Week post.

Until then,

This is your host J,

signing off...

Be sure to take precautions so your pet can be properly identified if it is lost during a disaster.