The document provides tips and recommendations for pet owners to prepare for various disasters and emergencies. Some key points covered include having pets microchipped and vaccinated, preparing evacuation kits with two weeks of food and medications, ensuring pets are properly sheltered and can be safely evacuated, and preventing animal attacks by keeping pets confined and away from wild animals. Being prepared is emphasized as the best way for pet owners to avoid loss of life during a disaster.
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August is disaster preparedness month
1. August is Disaster / Emergency
Preparedness Month
10% Off of Microchipping
5% Off of Vaccines & Wellness
Exams
2. Pets and Disasters
Disasters, natural & man made, effect all
of us. They also effect pets and wildlife
too!
They dont have a voice or understanding
of whats happening we have to
advocate for them!
Being prepared is the best way to avoid
loss of life!
3. Hurricanes
Hurricanes are the EASIEST disaster to
survive because you have time to prepare!
The beginning of Hurricane season start
double checking your pet emergency kit!
The Red Cross and ASPCA provide
animal disaster kit recommendations on
their websites!
4. Ask yourself these questions:
If I have to evacuate do I know where my
animals can go?
Research pet friendly motels!
Talking to boarding facilities & veterinarians
about their availability during disasters (some of
these places my close as well).
Talk to stables about evacuating your livestock
and what their temporary boarding availability is.
(What species/sexes that they will take and
requirements).
5. Are my animals prepared to evacuate?
Almost all boarding facilities for dogs and cats require
current Rabies & Distemper vaccines in the last year, &
Kennel Cough vaccine and fecal in the last 6 months.
Cats may be required to have a current Leukemia/Fiv
Test and vaccines!
MAKE SURE YOUR PETS A UP TO DATE BEFORE
THE SEASON STRIKES!
Have a copy of your records to take with your pet in case
your vet is closed when you go to drop off your pets,
otherwise you may be turned away from kennels or have
to pay for the services again if not boarding with your
regular vet!
6. Are my animals prepared to evacuate?
Health certificates
If your pet or livestock will be crossing
state lines during an evacuation they
need a health certificate issued by your
veterinarian to avoid rejection of entry,
seizure and fines. Health Certificates
requirements and the duration they are
good for vary from state to state.
7. Evacuation Food & Medications
You should always have at least 2 weeks of your
pets normal food & medication when you
evacuate.
Ask you vet for a written prescription for
prescription food or medications to keep in your
emergency kit in case something catastrophic
happens to your town!
Items need to be in water proof & air tight
storage! Make sure that they are clearly labeled.
8. Are my Horses prepared to evacuate?
Horses are required to have a current coggins
within the last 12 months (in NC) to travel or stay
at a public barn.
Most facilities also require current vaccines be
sure to have stabling pre arranged with
requirements
Have 1-2 weeks supplies of grain, hay &
medications since horses dont tolerate change
well in their diets.
Do you have transportation for your horse?
Does your horse load well? If you didnt answer
yes to both of these questions plan & practice!
9. Microchip Your Animal!!!
Did you know that pets that are separated from their
owners that are microchipped are 60% more likely to
be reunited than pets with other forms of ID?
Collars, halters and tags can fall off or be
removed
After some disasters people were trying to claim
other peoples animals! Microchipped animals
enrolled in their owners name give you an
undisputable advantage in re-claiming your pet!
The chip is
given just like
a vaccine!
10. Severe Weather / Flooding
When severe weather strikes sometimes
you get a little warning or none at all!
If severe weather is moving into an area
be sure that your pets are protected!
Adequate shelter
Proper identification
A regular vet
11. Adequate Shelter
Be sure that your pets kennels are high and dry.
That they have a safe enclosure to get out of
the elements.
If your pet is tied out can they get to
shade/shelter? Are they at risk for lightning
strike by what they are tied to?
How will the enclosure hold up to high winds?
12. High winds / Flooding
Did you know that in the event of high winds /
tornadoes / flooding - the safest place may not
be your kennel or barn?
For livestock & horses, being out in a large field
where they can escape flying debris and
floodwaters, is safer than being buried alive by
rubble or drowning in a barn!
If your home is at risk for flooding, NEVER leave
you pets indoors when you evacuate, they can
drown inside in your absence!
13. Fires
Death by fire is a horrible way to die! Prevention and
preparedness is the key!
Use decals on windows that list what animals are inside
Socialize your pets!! Any animal will be scared during a
disaster but not being properly socialized puts
responders at a disadvantage in getting your pet out
during an emergency!
Keep smoke detectors in working order and have a fire
extinguisher!
Have an evacuation plan and practice with your family!
Small pets (cats, birds, exotics) can be tied inside a
pillow to get out in a time sensitive evacuation. Practice
this technique! Your pet will forgive you
14. Fires
Barn fires are very deadly due to all the dry
matter stored there (hay, straw, shavings)
Keep fire extinguishers in good working order
and in multiple locations.
Inspect all wiring every 6 months.
NO SMOKING in or around the barns.
Keep halter & leads at every stall and practice
leading your horse blind-folded as that technique
is sometimes required in a barn fire!
15. Transportation Disasters
All animals should be microchipped and have on
collars/halters with tags. In the event you were in an
accident and they got away they can be easily identified
and returned.
Pets should travel in carriers at all times in the vehicle.
This prevents distractions with the driver from pets
running around & if your were in an impact accident, they
are secured in a crate vs. being ejected through a
window or worse!
Horses/livestock should be in fully enclosed trailers (no
open tops, gaps over doors or open windows for them to
stick their heads out).
16. Emergency Animal Attacks
The 2 biggest things you need to know
about animal attacks are:
Make sure your pet has a current Rabies
vaccine at all times!!! Its the law and a public
health liability. If your pet is attacked by
something rabid or of unknown Rabies status,
your pet could be euthanized or quarantined
for 6-12 months by NC law at your expense!
17. Emergency Animal Attacks
The 2 biggest things you need to know about
animal attacks are:
Prevent the attack!
Keep your pet confined and under your control at all
times.
Un-neutered males are more likely to fight.
Avoid wild animals and animals you dont know.
Do not allow your pet to run up to a strange animal
and ask other owners to show you the same respect!
18. Remember
Have an evacuation kit with:
2 weeks of medication & food
4 color photos of pet (plus photos unique
markings)
Copy of vaccine records
Copy of registration papers
Copy of Microchip, Brands or Tattoos