I volunteer with a national organization that does emergency animal sheltering for disasters and criminal siezures. When we're not involved in a response, we are encouraged to go to pet or community safety events to educate people on how to have a disaster plan for their pets. Since so many pet owners don't think beyone grab the pets and go, I accepted an offer from a Wisconsin dog forum called Wisconsin Wags to post a series of articles on emergency preparedness on their site. With the permission of this administrator, I will be re-posting them to this forum. As a pet owner (cats), a disaster responder, and the daughter of a fireman, I would like to think I know a lot about this subject, but I know I am not a complete expert. I welcome your comments, questions, and suggestions.
1. Wake Up Call
6/21/2010 I was watching weather reports about the tornado that hit Eagle, WI. A reporter was covering the story from the Incident Command Center at the Eagle Fire Station. He was interviewing survivors, including a family with two dogs who was waiting for friends to come pick the family up. Others told stories like, "We grabbed the cat and dog and got to the basement just in time."
What if that had been you? What would you have done? Could YOU have gotten all or your animals to the basement in time? Do you have extra supplies and food down there in case you have to survive until roads are cleared and help can get to you? Do you have a first aid kit with only pet-safe items in it, and do you know how to use it? Could you control bleeding, know what to do about an impaled object, or stabilize a broken limb until you could get your pet to a vet? If your regular vet is shut down, do you have your pet's medical records so another vet could get up to speed quickly? If your house is damaged and your pet panics and escapes, are they wearing ID tags? Are they microchipped in case the tags come off and get lost? Do you have current ID photos in your emergency kit so you can make up a Lost Pet poster or identify your pet with Animal Control? What about after you get out; if your homeowners policy will pay to house you while repairs are being made, does that include your pet?
It's a lot to think about. Most people don't think beyond escaping the immediate threat. As I like to say, there's more to evacuation than put the dog in the car and go. Tune in regularly and we can get the pet community better prepared. Just because we don't get hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, or major wildfires here in the upper midwest doesn't mean we don't need it. Those of you who do live in disaster prone areas know you will need to be prepared. So maybe you can glean some additional suggestions from this that will be usefull. And people, don't forget that man-made disasters can strike anywhere, any time!. Remember; you are your pet's first line of defense in an emergency.
3/11/2012 Today is the one year aniversary of the huge earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Pay attention to all the documentaries that are being re-run. Remember the VERY disaster-prone spring and summer of 2011 with the floods, tornados, an east coast hurricane wildfires, and severe drought. With the recent huge outbreak of tornados accross the midwest, it's looking like this year might be lively too. GET READY!
