Cats, Canines & Other Critters In Crises - May 18, 2002: Animal Disaster Preparedness Day
Release Date: May 13, 2002
Release Number: R10-02-44a
Seattle, WA -- The Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) is hosting its fourth annual nation-wide Animal Disaster Preparedness Day Saturday, May 18, encouraging families to include pets and any other animals being cared for in family disaster preparedness plans. This year's theme is: "Don't Leave Home Without Them," and according to FEMA Regional Director John Pennington, it highlights important considerations.
"Many pets are injured or killed every year because no provisions were made for them in family disaster plans," said Pennington. "If you must evacuate your home, it's always best to take your pets with you, but plan ahead. The time to contact animal shelters for information on caring for pets during emergencies is before disaster strikes. Public emergency shelters often exclude pets for space and health reasons."
Animal Disaster Preparedness tips include:
- I.D. tags, leg bands, or tattoos to help reunite separated pets and owners.
- Keep a week's emergency supply of pet food, water, and other essential support items.
- Take several pictures of your animals and keep them with your important papers.
- If your regular veterinarian does not have a disaster plan locate one who does.
- Keep a pet first aid kit and first aid book in your animals' disaster kit.
- If you use a "pet sitter" while on vacation, discuss disaster plans and evacuation sites.
EARS' Animal Disaster Preparedness Day initiatives include distribution of free Animal Disaster Preparedness Day Information Kits to animal caregivers, animal shelters and humane societies. Kits include "shopping lists" for animal disaster supplies, disaster plan posters, brochures and handouts, and a starter set of identification collars. For a free kit for your family (or to share with your local animal shelter) e-mail EARS Program Assistant Audrey Bowman at abowman@uan.org or write to: EARS, P.O. Box 188890, Sacramento, CA 95818.
Pet Disaster tips are also from FEMA FOR KIDS: http://www.fema.gov/kids/petkit.htm and at: http://www.fema.gov/library/petsf.shtm.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 27-Aug-2003 16:36:40