WASHINGTON - Without question, we are living in different times. With the prediction of bizarre weather for the upcoming hurricane season and the threat of terrorism and biological assaults still a daunting concern, caring for a pet now carries more responsibility than just proper feeding, exercise and veterinary care. Pet owners must also be adequately prepared in the event of disaster and/or emergency evacuation. June is National Disaster Preparedness Month for Animals, and The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is attempting to educate pet and animal owners about the need for being prepared for emergency situations. Whether caused by a natural disaster such as flood, wildfire or hurricane, or whether from an act of terrorism, emergency evacuation may become a reality for many pet owners and many are simply not sufficiently prepared. Clearly their pets and animals are at risk.
The HSUS is offering free information about disaster preparedness and evacuation planning for animals, including three brochures, Disaster Preparedness for Pets, Disaster Preparedness for Horses and Disaster Preparedness for Livestock. Working with key local, regional and national organizations, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), The HSUS is working to ensure the safety of all animals in the event of a disaster or the need to evacuate.
Take The Test, developed by The HSUS for pet owners, poses a plausible scenario and a series of questions designed to help pet owners assess their level of disaster preparedness.
Take The Test (for Pet Owners):
An officer arrives at your door. A truck has overturned down the road and is leaking toxic chemicals. You have thirty minutes to evacuate. You may not be allowed home for several days.
1. You run to find the dog and cat carriers and try to get the dog and cat into the car. Do you have carriers for all your pets? Are leashes easily accessible?
2. You decide to evacuate to a motel. Do you know which hotels take pets? Do you know where the local emergency shelter is for pets? Do you have a plan for where you will go and the route to take?
3. As you arrive at the emergency shelter, your cat somehow slips out of the carrier and jumps out the car window. Do you have photos and descriptions of your pets in your emergency kit so you can show them to emergency workers?
4. You need to tell the shelter workers what to feed your dog and when to give his medications. Did you remember to bring your dog’s medication and written directions for feeding and giving the medication?
5. You are at work when the evacuation order is given for your neighborhood. Have you made prior arrangements with any of your neighbors to evacuate your pet or to notify emergency workers that your home has pets inside? How will you get to your pets once your neighborhood has been barricaded off?
If you answered “no” to one or more of these questions, you are not prepared to care for your pet in a disaster. You need to develop a disaster and evacuation plan that includes all your pets and animals.
Animals do depend on us, so please care enough to plan. For more information about disaster planning, including brochures on disaster preparedness for pets, horses and livestock, contact HSUS Disaster Services at 202-452-1100.