EmergencyPet Preparedness: What To Do (NAPSA)—The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has launched a campaign featuring Kim Cattrall, who stars on the HBO series “Sex and the City,” to educate Americans about the importance of emergency pet preparedness. Emergencies come in manydifferent forms, and there are a number of ways to ensure that pets are takencareof: * Rescue Alert Card: This easy-to-fill-out card will alert people that pets are inside your home in the event there is an emergency. It contains types and names of pets in your household, contact numberfor an alternate caretaker and other information, such as urgent medical needs. Contact the ASPCA at beprepared@aspca.org for an emergency pet sticker for your home. e Arrange a safe haven for your pets in the event of evacuation: Do not leave your pets behind. If you do so, they may be at risk for injury or even worse. Red Cross disaster shelters will not accept pets, so it is imperative that you have researched where to bring your pets aheadoftime. Emergency Supplies and Travel Kit: Keep an emergency kit handy for your pets. Your emergency kit should contain a petfirst aid kit and book, pop-top food cans or dry food, disposable litter trays, litter or paper toweling, pet feeding dishes, extra leash, photocopies of medical records and a two-week supply of any medicine your pet needs in a waterproof container, bottled water, a pet traveling bag or sturdy carrier, flashlight, blanket and photosof yourpets. Choose “designated caregivers”: This step is something that should take considerable time and thought. You should make In case of an emergency,it’s important to make sure your pets are taken care of. plans for a temporary homefor your pets, until you can reach them in the event of an unexpected disaster. Also be sure to arrange for a permanent homefor them if you are no longer able to care for them. Evacuation Preparation: Timeis of the essenceif it is necessary to evacuate your home. It is important to: store an emergency kit and leashes as close to a door as possible, make sureall pets are collared with up-to-date identification, always bring pets indoors at the first sign or warning of a storm or disaster, consider your evacuation route and call ahead to make arrangements for boarding your pet outside of the danger zone at the first sign of disaster. Geographical/Climatic Considerations: You maylive in an area that’s prone to certain natural, catastrophic phenomena, such as tornadoes, earthquakesor floods. If this is so, then you should plan accordingly. A step-by-step guide for emergency pet preparedness can be found on the ASPCA Website at www.aspcea.org.
