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Emergency Guidelines |
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· Make arrangements for your pets as part of your household disaster planning. It is always better to take your pets with you but for many reasons, some evacuation centers will not allow pets. Make sure you know what your options are and be prepared to have what you need to care for your pet while away from home.
· If you are not normally home during the day, make sure a neighbor or friend knows what pets you have and what the plan is. Make sure they know where the EvakPaks are located in your home so they can “Grab and Go". Have that person take your pets and their EvakPaks to a pre-designated spot to meet up.
· Each pet should have an identification tag on their collar that contains your name, address and phone number. Keep your pet’s shots current and put a copy of the records in the EvakPak inside pocket. Most places require proof of current rabies and distemper vaccinations before allowing a pet to enter. Display the rabies tag on the collar as well, as some animals might be put down if they are found wandering after a disaster and there is no proof that they have had the vaccinations.
· Put your pet’s medical records, medicines and information about special diets, in the EvakPak. Check with your vet to see if you can get an “extra” script for the pets medications .
· In the first few days after a disaster, pets may become confused and lost. Always keep your pet on a leash and with you. Sometimes, normally quiet and friendly pets become aggressive or defensive. If you have multiple pets and they normally get along, the anxiety of an emergency situation can cause them to act irrationally. Ask you vet about including a stress reliever in the EvakPak to help the situation.
· Fill out the contact information card in the pocket of the EvakPak and keep that information updated periodically. If you and your pet become separated during an evacuation, you will have all the information you need to identify your pet and increase the likelihood of being reunited.
· If you become separated from your pet, make fliers of your family and your pet and distribute them everywhere. A description of the pet (include color, markings, age, weight, size and sex), the pet’s name, your name and contact information, the location and date the animal was last seen (don’t give out your address, just give a general description), indicate if there is a reward offered, and include the picture. If someone calls claiming to have found your pet, take someone with you- never go alone to meet anyone claiming to have found your pet.
· Most importantly, have a PLAN. Your pets depend on you for their safety. Don’t let them down! Order your EvakPak today for peace of mind!
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