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Early
preparations ease evacuation of pets
June 14, 2007
When my partner and I evacuated with our three cats and two dogs in
2005, the way that our dog Caesar looked at me as we drove down Highway
90 to Lafayette became a forever memory.
When I looked at the back seat to make sure the "kids" were comfortable,
I saw Caesar, wide-eyed and head tilted. His worried expression hit me
in a deep place.
I may have simply been projecting my human feelings onto him, but I
sensed that he knew this was more than just a family outing. I didn't
know then that we would never go home again. His eyes seemed to say,
"This is not a good thing, but at least we're together."
I'm convinced that the fact that we stayed together through it all has
sustained me, kept me sane and helped me maintain a sense of inner
peace. I didn't lose what really mattered.
Caesar may not realize (he's got more important things to focus on like
his favorite chew toy) that hurricane season is upon us once again. And
for all the Caesars in our lives, being prepared to evacuate with them
should be at the top of the list for every pet owner.
Having them prepared for sudden travel in advance and having a checklist
of what you need is the first, important step.
Keep a small suitcase by the door with all pet-related items and
documents so you have them ready to leave at a moment's notice. Proper
identification, health records, medications and a proper pet travel
carrier are the first things you want to check off.
Our pets (and yes, cats too) should always wear a properly fitted collar
with up-to-date rabies and identification tags. It's also recommended to
include a phone number that will allow you to be reached outside the
disaster zone, such as the number of a friend or relative with whom you
maintain close contact.
Another form of identification is a microchip. You may be surprised to
learn that even birds can be implanted with a chip. A microchip ensures
that your pet is identified in case its collar and tags are lost. For a
microchip to be effective, it is also important to keep your contact
information up-to-date with the microchipping company's database.
As important as it is to keep your pet up-to-date with vaccinations,
it's equally important to keep those records up-to-date and on hand. All
boarding facilities and veterinarian offices require proof of
immunization before accepting animals. Hotels may also require records.
If you are checking into a hotel, make reservations in advance and ask
the hotel their criteria for pet guests. Even some pet friendly hotels
have restrictions based on size or number of pets.
Choosing an evacuation location in advance will ease the stress that
comes with traveling with a pet, especially if you have more than one.
Even when friends and relatives offer you a haven away from the storm,
it's important to make sure there are no miscommunications that you will
be bringing your pets with you and that your pets are welcome.
When it's time to travel, avoid waiting until the last minute to buy a
pet carrier. During hurricane season, and leading up to an evacuation,
these items fly off the pet-store shelves. Select a portable, secure and
covered carrier that's large enough so that your pet can completely turn
around in it. You may be traveling for hours and their comfort is
essential.
When you consider that 44 percent of people along the Gulf Coast did not
evacuate because of their pets, it's clear how important our pets are in
our lives. Hurricane season is without a doubt a stressful and
anxiety-ridden time, but making plans in advance will ease a large chunk
of that anxiety.
For a free pet evacuation guide available in English, Spanish and
Vietnamese, visit
www.la-spca.org/education/disaster_index.htm.
- Gloria
Dauphin
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