Don't Forget About Your Pets During National Preparedness Month In September
The month of September might almost be over, but before September turns into October, it's worth pointing out that disasters can happen at any time of the year and not just in September.
Do you have a plan in place to keep your pets disaster-ready regardless of the month? With so many American households with dogs and cats in the home, it's important to have a pet plan and disaster kit to protect and care for them during a disaster. Being prepared in advance will reduce panic and uncertainty when/if a disaster strikes. As part of September's National Preparedness Month, and all year long, don't forget about your four-legged family members.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have provided comprehensive pet cat and pet dog disaster kit checklists (below). Meantime, if you need to evacuate your home during a disaster, here are four important tips to follow:
Take your pets with you... DO NOT leave them behind. Transport them in a crate and keep a leash near the crate for easy access. Use a harness secured with a strap the clicks into a seatbelt if you can't crate your pet. Be sure that collars and crates are securely fastened.- Hotels, motels and boarding facilities that welcome pets tend to fill up quickly. Reserve early at places with a 24 hour cancellation policy. If you're planning on going to a local evacuation center, find out in advance if they accept pets. Many evacuation centers allow only service animals. Know in advance where you will take your pet.
- Bring out your pets’ crates, place bedding in them and let your pets get used to seeing the crates to avoid last minute panic (especially important for cats). Practice evacuating or sheltering in place with your pet to familiarize your pet with the process, so if/when the time comes to evacuate, it won’t frighten them as much.
- CDC suggests implementing a buddy system with friends, family, neighbors in the event you’re not home when disaster strikes. Have a trusted person you can call to check on pets and evacuate them if necessary. Having a kit ready to go will make it easier for them if you aren’t there.
DISASTER KIT CHECKLIST FOR YOUR CAT(S)
DISASTER CHECKLIST FOR YOUR DOG(S)
You can avoid the heartbreak of losing your beloved pet(s) during a natural disaster. All it takes is a bit of advance planning/preparedness.
VIDEO: HOW TO SAVE YOUR PET'S LIFE IN A NATURAL DISASTER
This information about keeping your pets safe during a disaster and disaster checklists for pets is provided by Nina Hollander/Carolinas Realty Partners with Coldwell Banker, your Charlotte region residential real estate experts and pet loving neighbors and pet parents, ourselves. We urge all our friends, clients, colleagues to plan, prepare, and most importantly, to stay safe... and to keep your pets safe too!
Featured Image Credited to Lakewood Animal Hospital
Plan Before It's Too Late Image Credited to OlsenVet.com
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