Your emergency bag is ready to grab and go, but what about your pet? April is Pet Preparedness Month. Volunteer West Virginia is partnering with the Kanawha Charleston Humane Association for a Pet Preparedness Event April 26 from noon until 5pm. The first twenty people to adopt a new pet will receive a pre-packed starter disaster kit for their new pet.
“With the recent disasters our communities have faced, we are more aware of the need to be prepared for emergencies and must remember to include our furry friends in those plans and preparations,” said Gina Namay, West Virginia Citizen Corps Coordinator.
Sponsors include PetCo, Target, Kroger, and Foodland.
If you can’t join us that day, you can prepare your pet by doing the following.
Have a pet supply kit ready, including:
• Pet food for three days in an airtight, waterproof container and bowls;
• Water for three days;
• Pet medicines and first aid supplies;
• Collar (with ID tags firmly secured), harness or sturdy leash.
• Important documents such as registration, adoption papers, vaccination and
medical records in a plastic bag or waterproof container;
• Travel crate or other pet carrier;
• Cat litter, litter box, paper towels, newspapers, plastic trash bags and cleaning
supplies;
• Photos of you and your pet together for identification purposes;
• Familiar items such as toys, treats and blankets.
Plan ahead for your pet:
• The single most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to take them
in the event that you must evacuate. Animals left behind in a disaster can easily be
lost or injured.
• If evacuation is necessary, plan ahead where you will go. Consider friends or
family outside the area who can take in you and your pet. Other options may
include a pet-friendly hotel or motel. If your only evacuation option is a Red Cross
or other publicly-run shelter, be aware that not all shelters are equipped or
designed to accept non-service animals. Consider boarding your animals at a
kennel or veterinary hospital before going to a public shelter.
• Plan with neighbors, friends or relatives to evacuate your pet for you if you are
unable to do so yourself. Talk with them about your evacuation plans and pet
supply kit.
• Consult your veterinarian and consider “microchipping” your pet. These
permanent implants may be invaluable if you and your pets are separated.
• Stay informed about what types of emergencies are likely to affect your region.
Be ready to follow instructions from authorities on the scene.
After the disaster:
• Don’t allow your pets to roam loose. Familiar landmarks and smells may have
been changed by the disaster and your pet could become disoriented or lost.
• Be patient with your pets after a disaster. Try to get them back into normal
routines as soon as possible and be ready for behavioral problems that may result
from the stress of the situation. If behavioral or health problems persist, talk to
your vet.
For more information, contact Gina Namay at 304-558-0111 or gina.l.namay@wv.gov.
