Get your companion animals prepared for a disaster

September is "National Safety Preparedness" month, so there's no time like the present to prepare for your pets' needs in an emergency.

San Diego Humane Society's Lt. John Peaveler, who is in charge of the nonprofit's Humane Law Enforcement Emergency Response Team, said many people put off taking stock of their companion animals' needs in times of disaster, thinking they'll get to it later — and then an emergency will strike and no plan is in place.

Peaveler said it shouldn't take more than a couple of hours to create a list of contacts and stash items away as part of planning for your pets in an emergency — and that doing so is well worth your time.

Not just wildfires, tornadoes or other natural disasters can trigger an emergency, he said. Something on a smaller scale, such as a car accident, could leave your companion animal in the lurch.

Peaveler knows. He is an animal welfare professional with more than 16 years of experience, primarily in the fields of disaster response and management, animal handling and capture, and community animal management. He has extensive experience in disaster response around the globe, including devastating earthquakes in Haiti (2010) and Japan (2013) as well as Hurricane Maria (2017).

Here are some tips for people and their pets from Peaveler, the San Diego Humane Society, ReadySanDiego.org and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals:

Have a list of two to four contacts, noting who can take care of your pets in case you can't. Whatever your personal list looks like, keep the information on your pets within reach, posted on the refrigerator or kept on file digitally where it can be accessed by a trusted family member or friend. That information should include what medications your pet takes and the frequency of dosing, the contact name and phone number of the animal's veterinarian, and what kind of food and the frequency of meals for the animal. Keep the pet's food in one dedicated place and place medications where they can be accessed quickly.

"You know what they eat, when they eat, but someone else won't, so you've got to write it down," Peaveler said. "The main message is, take the time to have a plan for yourself and a plan for your pets so whatever goes wrong, you can weather it. And the fewer things you have to worry about, the better."

Store an extra collar, harness and leashes as close to an exit as possible.

Assemble an emergency kit that includes: a pet first-aid kit and guide book; three to seven days' worth of canned (pop-top) or fresh dry food; disposable litter trays (such as aluminum roasting pans); paper towels, liquid dish soap and disinfectant; disposable garbage bags; pet food dishes and water bowls; photocopies and/or a thumb drive of medical records; and a waterproof container with a fresh two-week supply of any medicine your pet requires; at least seven days' worth of bottled water for each person and pet; flashlight; blanket; recent photos of your pets; and toys.Have a crate ready to go and crate-train your pet in case you have to go to a public evacuation center or to a friend or neighbor's house, where there may be other animals. Plan ahead, because not all evacuation shelters accept pets. Research hotels outside your area for pet policies and ask friends or family members if you and your pets can stay with them in a disaster.

Make sure your pets are wearing identification at all times, including animals who don't normally go outside. Having your pet microchipped can also help with identification. Keep your address and phone number up to date, but also include an emergency contact outside of your immediate area.

If a disaster strikes while you are away from home, make arrangements in advance with a trusted neighbor to take your pets and meet you at a specified location. Consider people who have met your pet and have successful cared for animals in the past.

Build a separate emergency kit for your pets and include in it three-plus days of food and water with bowls, and two weeks of your pet's medications, plus shot records, crates, bedding and toys.

Register your dog or cat with Finding Rover (https://findingrover.com), an app that uses facial recognition to reunite lost dogs and cats with their owners. Keep up-to-date photos in your smartphone.

Learn pet first aid and familiarize yourself with what to do should your pet ever get injured.

Get a "Rescue Alert" sticker for your home that lets people know that pets are inside your home and make sure it is visible to rescue workers, with the types and number of pets in your home as well as the name and number of your veterinarian. Stickers can be requested from the ASPCA at https://secure.aspca.org/take-action/order-your-pet-safety-pack.

If evacuating your home, leave early and take your pets. Pets cannot fend for themselves during disasters, and leaving them behind can risk both their lives and those of rescuers.The Humane Society and ASPCA also have suggestions for those with horses and other large animals/livestock:

Have trailers or travel containers available for all of these animals and inspect them regularly. Be sure the towing vehicle is appropriate for the size and weight of the trailer and animals, make sure the trailer is hitched properly and keep the proper tire pressure. Work with your animals in advance, so they are used to being loaded and unloaded from their trailers. Get your animals well-socialized and used to being handled by all kinds of strangers. If possible, invite emergency responders and/or members of your local fire service to interact with your animals.Set up a phone tree/buddy system with other nearby horse owners and local farms.Work with neighbors to identify locations where large animals can be brought on foot, such as large open areas during fires. You may not have time or space to evacuate all of your large animals, and you will not be allowed to re-enter mandatory evacuation areas even for your own animals.Keep a clean and tidy stable and pasture. Remove hazardous and flammable materials, debris and machinery from around the barn's walkways, entrances and exits. Regularly maintain and inspect barn floors and septic tanks. Inspect your grounds regularly and remove dangerous debris in the pasture.Keep veterinary records in a safe place where they can be reached quickly.

Special considerations for pet birds include: a secure travel cage or carrier to transport; a blanket or towel to put over your pet's cage in cold weather; a spray bottle to periodically moisten your bird's feathers in warm weather. Also, have recent photos available, keep your bird's leg bands on for identification, and, because birds eat on a daily basis, have a timed feeder.

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