News
Protecting Your Pets in an Emergency
May 11, 2009, 12:6PM MT
By Denise A LeBeau
Proactive steps to keep your family members safe
Proactive steps to keep your family members safe
An emergency, attack, or natural disaster can happen at anytime without warning. During these tension filled times, service dog and pet owners have become aware of the need to make arrangements for their pets as part of their household disaster plan. It is preferable to take your pets with you if you must evacuate your home. However most emergency public shelters do not accept pets due to health and safety codes. By law however, they are required to accept service animals. If you must leave your pets behind, it is essential that you have a plan for their care. If you must leave the immediate area following an emergency, take your pets with you. They may not survive if you have to be gone for an extended period of time. For more information on disaster preparedness please click here
PRIOR TO AN EMERGENCY
There are many ways to prepare for an emergency. You need to gather and compile information, determine safe rooms in your home, purchase necessary first aid and emergency supplies, train your dog to live indoors, and other precautions to take to ensure that your pet's safety.
Gather and Compile Information
1. Create a Pet Disaster Planning file and store all of the following information within
2. Contact your local animal shelter and humane society to determine if there is any local designated emergency pet shelters. The animal shelter and humane society also provides public service information on caring for pets during an emergency.
3. Contact your veterinarian's office to inquire whether or not they provide shelter for their patients in an emergency.
4. Contact motels and hotels in communities outside of your area to determine if they accept pets in an emergency.
5. Service dog owners should call their local emergency planning office to determine what they need to gain access to a shelter.
6. Start a buddy system with a neighbor to check on each other's animals during a disaster if you aren't home. Exchange information on veterinarians and sign a permission slip at the veterinarian's office that authorizes your buddy to get necessary emergency treatment for your pet in case you can't be reached. Give your pet sitter a copy of your disaster plan to use to care for your animals in your absence.
7. If your pet is on medication, ask your veterinarian what to do if you are separated from your pet for a few days.
8. Take several pictures of all the animals in your household. Write on the back of the pictures any distinguishing marks that would help identify your pet. Store the pictures along with copies of all vaccination records in a sealed plastic bag in your file.
9. Determine safe locations in your house where you could leave your pet in an emergency. Rooms that are easy to clean and that have access to water such as bathrooms and laundry rooms are recommended. It is preferable that these rooms have no heavy pictures on the walls or windows and there should be a countertop or table upon which your pet can climb if there is flooding. If you have both cats and dogs, determine separate rooms for each.
First Aid Kit
A fully equipped household first aid kit contains almost all of the supplies you may need for service dogs and pets. First aid supplies should remain in a waterproof container (Rubbermaid and Tupperware have some great ones). First aid kits should contain:
• Latex or non-latex surgical gloves
• Gauze sponges in a variety of sizes
• Cleansing agent (soap and antibiotic towelettes)
• Roll gauze in 2-inch width
• Roll bandages (gauze wrap that stretches and clings)
• Materials to make a splint (i.e. pieces of wood, newspaper, cloth and sticks)
• Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
• Non-adherent sterile pads for wound dressings
• Small scissors
• Metal tweezers
• Grooming clippers or a safety razor
• Leash and buckle collar with identification tags
• Muzzle or a Gentle Leader. The behavior of your pets may change in an emergency. Normally quiet and friendly pets may become aggressive or defensive. (Muzzles can be improvised out of roll gauze if necessary. Use either a long piece of strong flexible cloth or towel, a belt, rope, or any other material that will hold the dog's mouth closed. Put the material over the dog's muzzle, drop it underneath, criss-cross it, bring it behind the head and tie it).
• Cloth that can be placed inside a muzzle to protect your dog from inhaling dangerous particles in the air.
• Towel
• Compact thermal blanket
• Pediatric rectal thermometer (Normal temperature for dogs is 100.2 -102.8 F. Normal temperature for cats is 100.5 - 102.5)
• Petroleum jelly or lubricant for the thermometer
• Water based sterile lubricant (sterile waterless hand wash)
• *Hydrogen Peroxide (has expiration date - replace periodically)
• Rubbing alcohol
• Topical antibiotic ointment
• Burn ointment
• Syrup of Ipecac and activated charcoal to induce vomiting in cases of poisoning
• Epsom salts
• Baby syringe or eye dropper (plastic)
• Sterile eye lubricant
• Sterile saline eye wash
• *Diphenhydramine (small and medium sized dogs would use the child's dosage). Check with your veterinarian prior to administering to your dog. This drug works will for allergic reactions to insect bites. It also has a mildly tranquilizing effect. Never administer this drug to cats. This drug has an expiration date so replace it periodically.
• *Buffered aspirin (check with your veterinarian before administering to your dog. Never give aspirin to a cat. Replace periodically.
• *Any medications your pet takes. Replace periodically. Kaopectate
• Resealable plastic bags
• Glucose paste or corn syrup (rub on pet's gums when experiencing low blood sugar levels)
• High energy treats
• Styptic pencil or powder
• Expired credit card to scrape away stingers
• List of emergency telephone numbers:
- Veterinarian
- Emergency Veterinarian Hospital
- National Animal Poison Control Center (800-548-2423 or 900-680-0000)
• Penlight
• Clean cloths
• Needle nose pliers or hemostats
• Empty 24 oz. Water bottle (cut the bottle with a razor about ¾ of the way up from the bottom. This can be used to provide artificial respiration to animals. Place the nozzle of the bottle in your mouth and the open bottom of the bottle over the animals face and breathe into it).
Much of the information in this section came from Pet First Aid by Bobbie Mammoto, D.V.M., MPA. This reference book is used in the Pet First Aid class offered by the American Red Cross. I advise all service dog and pet owners to take the Red Cross class or buy an educational pet first aid video.
*Designate a quarterly date and mark in your calendar to refresh the drugs in the Pet First Aid Kit.
Emergency Supplies
There are many supplies that service dog and pet owners should always keep accessible. Your pet must become familiar with some of these supplies and be trained to use them (i.e. booties, dog litter, gentle leader/muzzle).
• Pet carrier with room for your pet to stand up and turn around inside. Train your pet to feel comfortable in the carrier by placing favorite toys or treats and a comfortable bedding inside.
• Extra 30-day supply of medicines
• An identification tag with your phone number and the phone number of your family's emergency contact person.
• A buckle collar and a long leash that can be tied around your waist if you need your hands free.
• Dog booties. Your dog must be trained to tolerate wearing shoes. Work with your pet until there is a level of comfort. Use praise and treats to help your dog adjust.
• Pet life jacket
• Harness for smaller dogs
• Extra dry food stored in sturdy containers. Replace the food periodically.
• Large capacity self-feeder and water dispenser (one week supply)
• One gallon of water per dog per day. One-half gallon of water per cat per day. Keep a minimum of a one week supply stored in an air tight container.
• Kitty litter
• Doggy litter and a plastic children's pool (train your dog to eliminate in the pool. If, for any reason, you cannot put your dog out, they will be comfortable using the litter.
• Chew toy
• Bedding
• Can opener
• Plastic grocery store bags for waste
• Dog backpack filled with essential supplies
• Service dog vest
During an Emergency
At the first sign of an emergency, there are many safety precautions you can take immediately. These precautions may just save your pets lives.
• Bring your pets inside immediately! When feeling threatened, animals operate on instincts in emergencies. They often isolate themselves when they are afraid. Bringing pets inside immediately prevents them from running away. Never leave a pet outside or tied up during a storm.
• Fill bathtubs and sinks with water
• Retrieve your Pet Emergency Disaster Plan file and your first aid kit
• If you evacuate and must leave your pet at home, prepare a safe location for it. Leave familiar items such as the pet's normal bedding and favorite toys. Leave a week's supply of food and water in pet's reach. If possible, open a faucet slightly and let the water drip into a big container. Large dogs may be able to obtain fresh water from a partially filled bathtub. Separate dogs and cats and keep smaller pets away from them both. Even if your dogs and cats normally get along, the anxiety of an emergency situation can cause pets to act irrationally. Freshen litter for both dogs and cats.
• Replace a chain link "choker" collar with a leather or nylon collar. Make sure the collar has current tags and identification.
• If you evacuate and plan to take your pets, remember to bring your pet's medical records and medicines with your emergency supplies.
• Never remove your pet's leash during an emergency. The waist clip leashes are very useful because they your hands free.
After The Disaster
There is always a great deal of chaos following a disaster. Your pets will experience anxiety and fear as a result. Do not assume that they will behave as they ordinarily do. Fear induces protective behaviors. Speak calmly to your pets. Breathe deeply and slowly to relax. Massage and gently stroke your pet. Your energy is contagious so infect your pets with calm rather than anxiety.
If you have to leave the immediate area, take your pets with you. Pets are unlikely to survive on their own for an extended period.
Keep your pets close to you and on a leash always maintaining close physical contact. When familiar scents and landmarks are gone your pet may become confused and lost, be confronted with snakes and other dangerous animals, or be exposed to downed power lines.
After the disaster, remain calm and reassuring. Give your pets time to recover from the shock and the trauma. If you see signs of stress, contact your veterinarian immediately.
EMERGENCY TIPS
If the face is red, raise the head (when pet is overheated). If the face is pale, raise the tail (when pet is clammy or in shock).
Always keep a leash in the car
Common poisonous substances: Bird of paradise, Poinsettias, green part of tomato plants, honey, insecticides, and antifreeze.
When bandaging a wound, always wrap toward the heart. Put the knot of the bandage on top of the wound. Leave a "tail" on the bandage. As you begin to wrap, hold back approximately six inches of the bandage so there is a tail where the bandage starts. This aids in removing the bandage.
Learn healing touch for animals techniques (i.e. acupressure, energy healing). An example of an effective acupressure technique is to place your thumb on the inner side of its ear and your other fingers on the outer side. Starting at the base of ear, using medium pressure, rub your fingers down the ear. There are acupressure points in the ears that, with proper manipulation, can prevent an animal from going into shock.
Other Types of Animals
Cats
Cats, like rabbits, are very sensitive and can be easily traumatized. A cat's natural instinct is to hide from people when they are afraid. Protecting a cat during a disaster requires finding them immediately.
• Cats will often hide in very obscure places so put them in the safe room immediately. Ensure that they have a shelf to climb upon and that there is no place for them to burrow in.
• Have a collar with tags, or tattoo or microchip your cat for identification.
• Remain calm and reassuring. If taking the cat with you, place it in carrier and cover with a towel or blanket.
• Make sure you have enough fresh food and water to last five days.
• Water bowls, litter, and litter pan
• Cat harness and leash
Rabbits
Rabbits are very sensitive creatures. Fear can have life threatening effects on them. During an emergency it is important to shield them from the stress of the situation as much as possible.
• Heavy blanket to cover the carrier and muffle lights and sounds.
• Hard plastic carrier, with metal front gate and adequate floor covering (towel or a grass mat).
• Sealed containers of food and water enough for five days. Sealed water bottles should be changed every 4 - 6 months when stored a in cool place, away from sunlight.
• Pellets stored in an airtight sealed container or resealable plastic bag. May be stored for three months or six months, if frozen.
• Extra food and water crock for 'traveling', to vet or on trips. When you travel with your rabbit, whether it is a short or a long distance, always make sure you bring food and water and bowls to use, in case you are temporarily stranded.
Birds
Birds must eat daily to survive. In an emergency, you may have to leave your birds behind.
• Purchase a special food dispenser that regulates the amount of food a bird is given.
• Make sure that the bird is caged and the cage is covered by a thin cloth or sheet to provide security and filtered light.
CONCLUSION
Being prepared may save your service dog's or pet's life. It is important to learn about pet first aid. There are classes through the Red Cross, videos, and books available to teach you lifesaving skills. Remember your animals look to you to be their guides. Remain calm, breathe deeply, speak softly, and stay in control. Your animals will be more cooperative when they sense that they will be safe with you.
reprinted with permission from Eileen Landacre, Community Service Representative with the Los Angeles Fire Department's Fire Safety and Education Office
image by Clay Myers, Best Friends photographer
posted by Denise LeBeau, Best Friends staff