DISASTER PREPAREDNESS FOR PETS
What Pet Owners Need to Know in an Emergency
Los Angeles - Predicted to be the worst fire season and with several fires already ablaze in California, don't get caught unprepared. Today, the National Weather Service issued an Excessive Heat Warning, signifying a high risk of wildfire. When a disaster strikes a community, essential services are often unavailable and precautions should be taken for the entire family including the safety of pets.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) strongly recommends pet owners prepare for an emergency by following simple guidelines to ensure their pet's safety in the event of an urgent situation or natural disaster. spcaLA offers tips to protect your pet from heat and natural disasters on our website, www.spcaLA.com .
"Pets depend on us for their safety, food, water and more," says spcaLA President Madeline Bernstein. "With the recent fires and Excessive Heat Warning, it is imperative to have a disaster plan in place to ensure all members of the family are accounted for properly and it only takes a little advance preparation."
The following are the most important things pet owners can do to prepare their pets for an emergency:
• Make sure there is a supply of canned/dry pet food and bottled water with other emergency provisions including pet prescription and medicine.
• If roads are blocked due to a natural disaster, professional help may not be possible immediately so familiarize yourself and other family members with pet CPR, resuscitation and general first aid procedures. Your quick action could save your pet's life.
• Try not to display stress and anxiety when dealing with pets. Most animals are very aware of their owner's emotions and can read your stress. This can cause otherwise calm pets to display aggressive behavior.
• Continuously check pet structures and favorite hiding places for hazardous debris.
• Visit your local spcaLA Pet Adoption Center or ask your local fire department, animal shelter or veterinarian for a "Pet Alert" sign for doors and windows. If none are available, make your own by listing your pets on 3X5 card and display it prominently. Also purchase the "Animal Evacuated" sign through spcaLA to alert the authorities that all pets have been removed from the premises. This insures that emergency teams respond where assistance is actually needed.
• Dogs and cats should wear I.D. tags with current address and/or phone number at all times. This will make it easier for you and your pet to be reunited if separated.
• Keep up-to-date on your pet's vaccinations. Pets may become disoriented and stray or housed in shelters with other animals, thereby potentially becoming exposed to infectious diseases.
• Alert local shelters immediately upon discovering that your pet is missing.
For more information, contact spcaLA at 1(888) spcaLA-1 or visit www.spcaLA.com .
spcaLA is an independent, nonprofit animal welfare organization serving Southern California since 1877. There is no national SPCA, parent organization, or umbrella group that provides financial support to spcaLA. Donations run programs and services including Cruelty Investigation, Disaster Animal Response Team, Humane Education, and a variety of shelter services.
