Disaster Preparedness for Your Pet

[MedicBarbie]

Disaster Preparedness! Are You and Your Dog Ready for Disasters?

Be prepared for disasters.

Without disaster preparedness planning, your dog — and you — could end up injured, permanently maimed, or killed.

A disaster gives you very little control over your circumstances.

A hurricane changes course, forcing you out of your home.

The wind shifts; suddenly the forest fire is heading your way, and you're on the run.

Toxic gases escape from a ruptured car during a train derailment, and your entire town evacuates.

Most natural disasters give us a warning, so we can be prepared when the time comes. They are the ones from which, with planning, we can escape unharmed.

Others, like a tornado or the tsunami that killed over 150,000 people in Asia in 2004, are difficult to escape from, as they give us no warning.

Even when the odds of survival are small, however, effective disaster preparedness will improve those odds and may keep you and your dog together, or reunite you if you're separated.

Now Is A Good Time for Disaster Preparedness

The best time for disaster preparedness was yesterday.

The next best time is now.

There are many things you need to do to ensure that both you and your dog will be as safe as possible when trouble comes. Don't delay. Your dog depends on you to keep him safe!

Know Your Disaster Threats

An important aspect of disaster preparedness is knowing what disasters might come your way. Determine the disaster threats in your area so you know what to be prepared for. Become familiar with the various agencies and organizations that can help you and your dog in emergencies.


Make A Disaster Evacuation Plan

Make your disaster evacuation plans, including where to stay and how you're going to get there.
Create A Dog Evacuation Kit

Create a dog evacuation kit that contains everything he'll need for at least two weeks away from home. Ensure that you or a rescuer can easily find your kit and your dog when it's time to go.

Be prepared for disasters.

Without disaster preparedness planning, your dog — and you — could end up injured, permanently maimed, or killed.

A disaster gives you very little control over your circumstances.

A hurricane changes course, forcing you out of your home.

The wind shifts; suddenly the forest fire is heading your way, and you're on the run.

Toxic gases escape from a ruptured car during a train derailment, and your entire town evacuates.

Most natural disasters give us a warning, so we can be prepared when the time comes. They are the ones from which, with planning, we can escape unharmed.

Others, like a tornado or the tsunami that killed over 150,000 people in Asia in 2004, are difficult to escape from, as they give us no warning.

Even when the odds of survival are small, however, effective disaster preparedness will improve those odds and may keep you and your dog together, or reunite you if you're separated.
   
Now Is A Good Time for Disaster Preparedness

The best time for disaster preparedness was yesterday.

The next best time is now.

There are many things you need to do to ensure that both you and your dog will be as safe as possible when trouble comes. Don't delay. Your dog depends on you to keep him safe!

Know Your Disaster Threats

An important aspect of disaster preparedness is knowing what disasters might come your way. Determine the disaster threats in your area so you know what to be prepared for. Become familiar with the various agencies and organizations that can help you and your dog in emergencies.


Make A Disaster Evacuation Plan

Make your disaster evacuation plans, including where to stay and how you're going to get there.
Create A Dog Evacuation Kit

Create a dog evacuation kit that contains everything he'll need for at least two weeks away from home. Ensure that you or a rescuer can easily find your kit and your dog when it's time to go.

Visit Your Veterinarian

Call on your vet to discuss medications and other concerns.

Information and Records

Collect all the information and records you'll need to provide your dog with secure accommodations. Give him sufficient identification to ensure his prompt return to you if he wanders off.

Create A Buddy System

Create a buddy system with neighbours so that if you can't get home, they'll collect your dog and his evacuation kit and head out of town.

Rehearse Your Evacuation

Rehearse your evacuation so that it all comes naturally when the real thing strikes. Practice on your own with your dog, then practice with your buddy.


Emergency Preparedness

Disaster preparedness looks at the big picture.

Don't forget the smaller, but no less important, picture: in-home emergency preparedness. Make and rehearse plans to get out of the house in case of fire, gas leak and other life-threatening situations.

Don't leave your dog's life, and your own, to chance and a panicked mind.

Disaster preparedness — when both you and your dog are ready to leave at a moment's notice — will reduce your stress level, giving you a clearer head to deal with other situations as they happen during your evacuation.

There are some great organizations with information to help you help your dog during a disaster. Check them out. You'll be glad you did.

A few good links:
   
http://www.cfainc.org/articles/disaster-planning-tips.html

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/be_a_lifesaver_disaster_planning_can_save_your_pet_in_an_emergency.html
http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/resources/disaster_preparedness_for_pets.html
http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/

Disaster Preparedness Quiz:
http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/resources/disaster_preparedness_quiz.html

[brumzoo]

Thanks, Mel! This is such great info!

[MedicBarbie]

I was on a roll this morning because I spotted a text book at work that had info on animal emergencies!!   That's so much more interesting than human stuff

[Wembleys_Mama]

Disaster Preparedness is a huge part of the programming we do here at work - so of course I think this is the most fantastic information ever! HUGE bullie point to Mel!! Thanks!!

And if I can add one extra link to this:

http://www.petsitters.org/cfincludes/MemberCenter/pdfs/DPPetOwner.pdf

More information on preparedness, and a form that you can fill out and complete on each of your pets (with a photo) so all information is up-to-date and current.

[MedicBarbie]

^^
That's a great site!! Thank you!!

What started that whole slew of posts was a book on animal disaster preparedness I found at work.  One of the big parts of public safety is disaster preparedness - since Katrina and 9/11 it's been all the rage in training. 

I happened to think, WTH?  If something happens, I'd be scrambling to get medications together, etc - we think about ourselves all the time, but sometimes forget that disasters happen to our furry friends too!

[Jerr_N_Tiff]

Great post Mel....


I have always been a sorta boyscout when it comes to things like this... I am Lucky to have met and married Tiff who sees things the way I do.  We keep at least a months worth of food and fresh fresh drinking water on had at all times.  This is our SHTF stock (SH%T hits the fan).  On average most grocery stores only stock up 3 days worth of food.  In other words, without stock they would start running out of items in 3 days.  Now put yourself in a situation where there is public panic and see how fast the shelfs clear. 

We each have a BOB (bug out bag).  Each bag contains 3 days worth of supplies, food, water, hygiene products, critical identification and information.  I have a thumb drive with pictures of everything in our house, documents, and contact information.   We each have first aid kits and survival items in case we have to leave on foot (imagine a parking lot on the local roads).  We have a plan to go to my parents way outside of town in a case of civil unrest. 

Now back to the main topic.. lol... each one of our bags contains 3-4 days of dog food, leashes, and fold up bowls for water.  We have a plan if things get bad and we have to leave in a moments notice, we can grab our bags, the dogs, the fold up dog crate and be out the door in less than 2 minutes. 

I dont want to sound long winded on this, but in todays times, you never know what can happen.  Ask yourselves how much food and water do you have stored up for you and your pets..   

If anyone would like I can post pictures and an item list of what each one of us carries...

[khybeemaow]

Great post!! I have a packed saddlebag for each dog so they can carry their own stuff and if we get separated, they will have enough supplies to keep them going for a while. I have a laminated photo of each of them with their microchip number of it. I also made up several "Lost" flyers of the dogs and cats in case they get lost so I have flyers I can put up in a moment's notice.

Spike and his pack


The contents of the pack


Lost Flyer

[brumzoo]

If anyone would like I can post pictures and an item list of what each one of us carries...

Would you mind posting them?  Thanks! 

[Jerr_N_Tiff]

If anyone would like I can post pictures and an item list of what each one of us carries...

Would you mind posting them?  Thanks! 

You bet!!

This is my Bob(Jerr)  (bug out bag)...It has the means for survival for 3 days.  If I need to use this bag all I have to do is add water to the hydration bladder and head out.  Tiff has her own bag as well, tailored more for her.  Hers is a bagpack designed for females and fits her better than most of the army/navy surplus bags (what mine is)...

Like I was saying it is a 3 day pack that can be extended beyond that using simple hunting and gathering supplies.  Not pictured but will  be added is means for water filtration, fishing, and hunting.


Main Pack with 3 liter hydration bag

• BDU pants
• Keene sandals (not shown)
• 2 T-shirts
• One pair shorts
• One pair socks (wool)/ underwear (underarmour)
• 2 bandanna's
• 2 cool neck wraps
• 4 More's Not broken down, I usually use all the items
• Compass (not shown)
• Garmin GPS 60 CSX (not shown)
• Toilet tissue/baby wipes
• 100 rounds of 40 Cal ammo vacuo sealed.
• Personal Hygiene bag
o Soap
o Deodorant
o Extra pair of glasses
o Tooth brush/past

3 days worth of dog food.  Tiff carries 3 days worth as well in her bag.






FAK (outside lower compartment)
• 3 pair latex gloves
• goodies headache powder
• Peptide
• 3 triangular bandages
• Sam Splint
• Xylocain !5
• Thiamin 100 mg
• Epi 1:1000
• 2 3 cc syringes
• 15 4x4
• 4 stretch bandage
(not shown but added).. various suture packs (nice being married to a nurse) sterile water, and 1000cc bag of normal saline (iv solution for various things)

Fire kit
• 300 dollars in twenties
• mag block
• gerber tool
• lighter
• vacuo sealed dryer lint

Right pocket
• Leather work gloves
• 20 feet webbing
• Boonie hat




I also carry 2 way radios, and a sw radio that cover sw band, am/fm and weather.  I have also added maps of the area and a compass for navigation.

Understand that this pack is designed to help get me and the wife out of dodge.   We both carry firearms and both have CCW permits to legally carry them.  there are some things not shown but added as well to finish off our packs.   


This bag well help us get to our "bug out" location.  My parents live 45 miles north of town.  The goal would be to throw the bags, dogs, and extra food and clothes we have stored into the car and haul butt.  We have an army duffel bag that contains 3 days each worth of clothes for both of us.  If we have to ditch the car we grab the 3 day bags and trek it on foot.  we have a crate that we can fold up in the matter of minutes throw into the car and take with us.  Worst case would be to walk the entire distance on foot with the dogs.  For that I would take a wheel barrow frame and lash the crate to it.

I know some of you are rolling your eyes with all of this, but think about if you had something happen from a hurricane to a tanker truck full of chemicals overturn and you had to evacuate.  That is not the time to gather the basics and get gone. 

[8ftbed]

Instead of rolling eyes, there's probably a lot of big sighs.
" geez, why can't I be that organized and prepared"

Excellent examples of a little planning though. With disaster routes and destinations pre-planned, you could even have a couple of caches buried along the way.  Where some fishing line and hooks?  I'd never go hungry traipsing across TX.  There's always some water somewhere and at least mudcats in every one.

Great job though. Thanks!

[Jerr_N_Tiff]

Instead of rolling eyes, there's probably a lot of big sighs.
" geez, why can't I be that organized and prepared"

Excellent examples of a little planning though. With disaster routes and destinations pre-planned, you could even have a couple of caches buried along the way.  Where some fishing line and hooks?  I'd never go hungry traipsing across TX.  There's always some water somewhere and at least mudcats in every one.

Great job though. Thanks!

fishing line and hooks are added as well, just not pictured.  We also carry about 500 rounds of 22 rimfire ammo for a 22 riffle that is in the same closet.  A 22 will be plenty for hunting small game.   

Tiff and I a year ago where not ready for anything, no food stored, water, or anything.  A new friend who is a Major in the army got us started.  I visited some diffrent websites and got started.   Like I mentioned we have enough food and water to last us several weeks here at the house, or we bug out. 

I keep on going over all this like a broken record, but think about katrina.  Imagine how much easier it would have been if folks had things like this ready.  I saw people on the news that did not even have baby food or diapers on hand and was asking the goverment for help!!!  I hate sounding like a doomsday type, but if the worst thing happens, I dont want to look for anyone to magicaly show up and rescue the family and I.

[MedicBarbie]

Good stuff!!   A little forethought and imagination will come in handy when you least expect it. 

[8ftbed]

IMO of course, but the people that just sat there after Katrina and waited for someone to help them,  it's always going to be the same people.
Why sit and cry.  Do something.
I'll dispense with a typical rant and just say I don't have a lot of sympathy for physically and mentally able people who find themselves in a predicament and will flop down and take the pray and wait attitude.

[MedicBarbie]

^^^
Amen.    That's precisely why I have job security.    I am with you, I believe in being proactive rather than reactive.  It just makes more sense. 

[brumzoo]

Well, Katrina was not supposed to be as bad as it was. People are used to leaving for a day or so and then going home once the hurricane passes over. I do not agree with leaving your animals there when you evacuate, though. But, a lot of people thought it was not going to be that bad. When it turned out to be bad, a lot of people refused to leave their animals. I commend them for that. I would never leave my babies! That is why I am glad we live more inland.