The most important way to get through any disaster is
to be prepared. It is not my intent to practice veterinary medicine or
to in any way try to take the place of your own common sense. Instead,
the desire is to offer suggestions of possible ways to minimize stress
to your pets (and thereby yourself) before, during, and after a disaster
by helping you to think of possible problem areas that may occur. As a
person who is priviledged to share my life with animals, it occured to
me that I had made preparations for myself for a disaster, but nothing
to help my little furry friends. Shall we, together try to find some ways
to correct this?
General Information
The time to prepare for any disaster is BEFORE it
happens. If you are prepared, you and your pets will have a much better
chance of not only surviving, but surviving in some comfort. The most important
information that I can give you is to consider the kinds of special problems
your area is prone to (fire, earthquake, flood, hurricane, tornado) and
suggest you contact your disaster officials to see what they instruct you
to do in an emergency. They are your very best resource and will be happy
to help you. For every person who is prepared, there are many more who
will not be. This takes precious time away from rescue efforts. HELP
YOUR COMMUNITY BY BEING PREPARED!
Home Vs. Shelter
Most areas have shelters provided for you and your family
in case of disaster. They are NOT, however, equipped to handle pets
in most cases. As tragic as this seems, there are many considerations such
as sanitation, allergies, and nature inclinations to consider. It is a
prudent caregiver who finds out ahead of time where there is shelter for
pets and, if none is provided, organizes a place in your community for
this important need.
Also, know that caregivers in these shelters will have
very little funding to care for your pets. Therefore, it is your responsibility
to provide all the supplies you can to help. They will do their very best,
but they will not know your pets special needs or problems. Take the time
to fill out an I.D. card with medical information, where you are staying,
medication, veterinarian information and anything that may help. Be realistic,
obviously your little friends will not be taken care of like you could
at home, but this is an emergency. You can minimize a lot of problems by
providing something with their own scent and yours. You may be surprised
how comforting your pet will find this. MAKE SURE THEIR SHOTS ARE UP
TO DATE ALWAYS. Remember, they may be exposed to pets who are sick.
Remember that they will not be wearing tags that say "I'm ill and
have Feline AIDS, or Parvo etc. You may protect them at home by keeping
them away from other animals, but in an emergency, this will probably not
be possible.
Without Warning
Most disasters occur without any warning. There is nothing
you can do for yourself or your little friends more than being prepared
ahead of time. Fire, flood, earthquakes and storms can wreak havoc without
any notice to our very "organized" world. Here are some suggestions
that may minimize trauma.
BE SMART and BE PREPARED
- Fill out your pet I.D. card and give copies to trusted
neighbors and friends who may be able to assist. Be sure to include specific
instructions about what you would and would not like done in emergencies.
It is not a bad idea to also give a copy to your local vet.
- On you pets collar make sure to have a tag that not only
registers your name and phone number, but one of someone OUT OF YOUR AREA
who has been informed of your wishes. The reason for this is that it is
likely that power and phone will be interrupted and the first lines to
come up will be out of state or area. Many pets are rescued by caring people,
but become irreparably separated because nobody knows how to find their
owners.
- Find a trusted neighbor who will be willing to look in
on your pets if you get stranded somewhere. Make sure they know where your
disaster supplies are. It would be wise to have more that one neighbor
who can help.
- You may be at work, on the road, or anywhere so being
prepared is essential. Remember, your pets are depending on you to survive
so you have to be ready wherever you are.
- Keep on file at your local vet an authorization for treatment,
how much you wish to spend, and what you would, and would not want done.
- Remember that although animals have very good instincts,
they cannot fend for themselves like many people mistakenly believe. They
are pampered and have lost much of their instinct to survive in the wild.
Remember, you know how to obtain groceries and prepare food, but how many
of you would know what is safe to eat or drink in the wilderness. Instinct
is the will to survive, but that survival only comes with proper safe knowledge
and training. Don't expect your pets to be able to do what you would have
done for them. BE PREPARED!
- As much as I hate to bring this up, I think it is also
a necessary part of preparedness. Know what you wish to do if your little
friend dies. Planning ahead what you need to do to dispose of your little
friend, should they die, will make a tragedy a little less painful. Check
into your city ordinances and know your heart. This time will be difficult
enough for you without having to run around and find out what to do after
the fact. BE PREPARED!
- If you have fish or birds make sure to remember they
also need food, water, and shelter. I have a small bowl wrapped up in a
towel in an out of the way place for my fish in case of tank failure or
damage. The same thing applies to all living things. Snakes, rabbits etc,
all need food and water and shelter. Use the wonderful gift of your brain
and think ahead. What would they need if there is a disaster right now?
What would you need? BE READY AND SURVIVE!
Feeding Your Pet
The time for learning new foods and behaviors is not during
a disaster. Cats and dogs seem to have the likes and dislikes that you
and I have, choosing favorite foods and not tolerating others. Remember
that they will need food and water just like you and you may not be able
to run to your neighborhood grocery store. If they have no food or water,
they will either die or you will become closer than you wished for. Remember
that male cats can develop FUS from dry food and big dogs can have deadly
problems with their stomach from eating or drinking large amounts in the
heat. Cats are desert animals and don't drink a LOT of water, but they
need it available at all times. Unlike a dog, when a cat pants, it is in
trouble. Milk can cause terrible diarrhea in many pets. Be careful. There
are some bottled drinks for pets you can buy, but old fashioned water is
the best thing for all of us. Prevent tragic problems by discussing what
your pets can and cannot torerate with your vet. (Just as you would with
your own doctor)
If you are fortunate enough to keep your pets with you,
please remember that they will be firghtened and uneasy and may try to
run away. It is, therefore a very good idea to have some means of restraining
them to keep them from harm. If you are able to stay in your own home,
wonderful, but always have an alternative. Don't assume that just because
they have gotten out in the past and returned that this will happen this
time. They will very likely try to run from the danger, not understanding
that in so doing they may not survive. Cars, unscrupulous people, other
animals, disease etc. are just a few problems they may encounter. Make
sure you have some kind of kennel to evacuate them in. If that is not available,
a leash may solve the problem. Remember though that cats, even trained
ones, are not as easy to control on a leash and may seriously hurt themselves.
At the least, I recommend a harness which is less traumatic if they try
to bolt. A large thick towel with your scent and it's scent is not only
a comfort to your pet, but also may protect you a bit from a very frightened
animal. Your pet will, when frightened enough, turn on you. Count on it.
An animal is, first of all, an animal. Don't expect it to be less frightened
than you are.
If you have a fish or bird, remember they also need somewhere
to stay and food and water. I keep a bowl for just such a fish emergency
that I only need fill with water if I lose the tank like I did during the
Northridge earthquake. The little ones who made it were popped into a small
bowl of fresh water, not ideal, but it allowed them to live until we could
get electricity (air pumps etc.) and better accommodations.
Returning To Normal
Although it may not seem like it at the time, your life
will eventually return to normal. The sooner you can do this, the better
for all concerned. Remember that your pets will pick up on your fear and
confusion and react accordingly. Be prepared to help yourself and those
around you. By so doing, you have taken the best steps possible for survival.
Remember, most people will not prepare because they do not want to think
about this. We get car insurance, life insurance, and even health insurance
but will not prepare for something like this. Having some control makes
all the difference. You can always replace things in time, but you cannot
replace people and beloved pets. This is the most unselfish thing you have
ever done, getting prepared. Not only do you help yourself and your
pets, but you do not take away emergency needs from those who really need
it. Give your pets and yourself a great gift...survive! BE PREPARED!
by Diane Robish
survivor of the Northridge Earthquake
January 17, 1994
