In terms of animals, what’s your drill? How do YOU prepare for it?
I read this article on it, it’s brilliant:
http://www.petplace.com/cats/be-cat-prepared-for-disaster/page1.aspx?utm_source=catcrazynews002a&utm_medium=email&utm_content=petplace_article&utm_campaign=petplace
So tell me, how do you prepare, what experiences have you had with this kind of thing? (I’ve never lived in any area that’s under gone something like this)
March 11th, 2010
I live in Kansas and we have tornado’s and floods mostly,
What I do is keep can’s of dog food right along with our human canned foods that are for emergency’s,
I have a extra leash with my supplies also, and when it is time to take shelter my dogs go with me just like anyone else in my family.
In the past I have went to shelter with my three children and two dogs, a 4.5 foot iguana, and a loped ear rabbit,
you just grab what you can and go.
March 12th, 2010
I have 4 dogs and 2 cats. We live in Mobile, AL. We know hurricanes here on the Gulf Coast. My drill is this. Load one vehicle with hurricane supplies and important items (i.e. documents) in another vehicle I load all my babies. The 2 kitties go in one carrier, the 2 youngest pups go in another, much larger, carrier, and my big 2 pups ride free in the seat buckled in with their puppy seat belt harnesses. Then we head to a relative’s out of the path of the storm.
March 15th, 2010
I’m in the midwest, so tornadoes and temperature extremes are the biggest concerns.
I keep a stock of kibble in case the power goes out for a couple days (I feed raw).
When there is a severe storm warning, I fill up a couple jugs of water, put the cat in a crate and bring the dogs inside.
If it gets worse, then we all go to the basement.
If I something would happen when I’m away from home, I’d call family or friends to put the dogs inside.
If I couldn’t reach someone I would pray that they stay safe.
We’ve been blessed that nothing like this has happened to us. (yet)
March 18th, 2010
I live in earthquake and wildfire country, so protecting animals is critically important to me. I had a friend who lost two beloved dogs when a brushfire swept out of the hills in the late 80’s and burned down over 600 houses in less than four hours. The dogs were at the sliding glass door, but the firemen wouldn’t break the door down to free them. As a result of this, I joined United Animal Nations
They are one of the best groups in the country for animal rescue. They do nothing except plan, prepare and respond to assist animals in the event of a disaster. They keep no supplies on hand – everything they need, they get donated (Pens, shelter, food, medicine, etc) then they leave it behind for the community to use after the disaster. UAN offers training courses around the country, and once you are properly trained and certified, you are eligible to respond with them. I urge you, and others, to consider doing so.
Meanwhile, carry pet food, extra water, and disposable plastic bowls (The cut-off ends of water bottles work well) in your car. That way, when you see a stray dog, you can at least set water and food for it.
As for preparing – We have a cat carrier by our front door. In an emergency, a pillowcase works almost as well, but a commercial “cat sack” is recommended, as their claws cannot cut through it. When we leave home, even for a day, we always set out bowls of extra food and water, just in case.
Did you know that when Hurricane Katrina hit, none of the Red Cross shelters would allow animals to be brought inside? That’s awful! 80% of the animals recovered after Katrina were never reunited with their owners, and in most cases, their owners couldn’t take them to their new homes.
Thanks for thinking about the animals!
March 21st, 2010
I tried to read that article but I had to sign up for there news letter.
I am prepared for a disaster. I live in North Eastern Minnesota and in Minnesota we can get sever thunderstorms, and tornado’s.
I have two horses that we put into the barn when bad weather comes, our local police and fire department are aware of our horses and have pictures of them, I do update the pictures every year, so if my horses do get out and then are found I can be found with the information that I have given to the fire and police departments.
I also have a house cat, two smaller dogs, and two large dogs.
again the same thing for the fire and police departments with our animals. I also keep our vets number in my purse and inform them if I am out of town for a long period of time and inform them who is caring for my animals.
Thank goodness I have never experienced a terrible disaster with my animals, but at least I know I have done what I think is best for my animals and notifying the right people.
Oh yeah I have also given pictures to our local animal shelter that is close to our home town. Since I was told if our animals are missing due to a tornado or any type of disaster that is were they would go until I am notified of anything.
March 24th, 2010
I used to live in Northwestern Ontario literally the end of the road and we had many bad fire seasons once the whole area was evacuated out by Hercules Aircraft it was a scary ordeal no one knew what they would be going home to and luckily the fire turned not 100 ft from my house in Balmertown but we all had to leave our pets behind and it was horrific. I ended up on the fire department after that because I never wanted to be helpless again or lose control over a situation. Well for any evacuations that came after that time and including that time people had to let their pets go free you couldn’t keep in a house or chained up because of possible fire so for the first large evacuation food was left out everwhere and lots of water even though there are lakes everywhere up there fire can jump lakes so that was they only way to protect our pets and still is to this day. Luckily no one and I mean no one lost a pet they are smart and stay away from fire, floods by instinct and when we got home most of our pets were waiting in our ;yards. Freezers were emptied cupboards the food stores anything to keep them fed and watered back then water was gravity fed so people left hoses on in their yards as well. Animals are smarter than people they can tell when storms are coming people need to watch animals closer when things get weird weather wise etc. Well I hope this helps you And let me tell you there is nothing like coming back to your pet when you’ve been separated under these curcumstances. Oh yeah there is still only one road into where I used to live so it will still have to happen that way.