ARE YOU PREPARED FOR A NATURAL DISASTER?

Are you prepared for a natural disaster? If you had to vacate your home do you have what you need for your beloved pet ?…

Hurricane season is upon us once again. Every day storms reek havoc across the country, with unyielding heavy rain, howling winds, and flooding, leaving communities in a disarray. These weather reports keep me ever so mindful that South Carolina can easily be the next target…

FROM AUGUST THROUGH NOVEMBER –

we are on high alert for hurricanes. Lately we read and hear about the devastation and destruction in other parts of the country.

Which used to make me think

are you ready Cathy, should you need to leave abruptly? What is your evacuation plan for the boys?

I must sadly confess, I had none.

“Every hurricane season at The Weather Channel and weather.com, we talk about hurricane preparedness. Pet owners should also have an emergency plan that includes the safety of their animals.

More than 358 million pets reside in 63 percent of American households. According to a Zogby International poll, 61 percent of pet owners will not evacuate if they cannot bring their pets with them.”

It was time to come up with a plan –

if it isn’t safe for me, then it isn’t safe for my boys.

SO – ARE YOU PREPARED? –

If not, don’t fret – I wasn’t always either.

For me, I knew I needed basic staples and a place to store them, making it easy to grab. I cleaned out the bottom of their pantry and purchased an expendable bag to start.

Here’s a handy list that I followed:

  • FOOD AND WATER BOWLS: travel size and plastic bowls are much easier to transport on the road, make sure you have an extra set of “real” bowls should your days away from home be longer than anticipated.
  • MEDICATIONS: medicine, vaccination records and pet first aid supplies.
  • Store medical records in a waterproof container or loaded onto your smart phone.
  • A pet first aid book is also good to include.
  • COMFORT ITEMS: such as toys, travel beds, and blankets. These can help to reduce your pet’s stress from travel and severe weather.
  • CURRENT PHOTOS: and descriptions of your pets, including any details or markings. These items can be extremely helpful to help others identify your pet in the event you become separated.
  • LEASH, HARNESS, AND CARRIER: will help transport your pet safely and ensure they can’t escape.
  • Carriers should be large enough to allow the animal to stand comfortably, turn around, and lie down.
  • Cats should have enough litter for at least five days.
  • MICROCHIPS: increase your chances significantly in the event you and your pet become separated.
  • Is the microchip working? – often we forget to renew our subscription.
  • TAGS AND IDs: should always contain up-to-date identification at all times. Make sure your pet is wearing its collar and that it includes the proper information. If it is not already on there, you should add your current cell phone number to your pet’s tag. It may also be a good idea to include the phone number of a friend or relative outside your immediate area.

You can always tailor this to the needs of your pet. At the end of the day, knowing everything you must have is already in one place will be a true source of comfort.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST –

Tire their butts out if at all possible whether you’re staying in place for the storm or leaving the area.

When we’ve decided to stay based on the strength of the storm, I spend a great deal of time outside with them. They chase after balls, each other and even me for endless hours…

For everyone’s sanity, if we decide to vacate the area, having them exhausted makes the ride much more bearable for all of us! They are less restless and will generally sleep longer. Traveling with an entire State of people all headed in the same direction makes for a rather long ride.

For more tips on preparedness plans that include your pets, visit humanesociety.org/prepare

Please think about a plan, even if you never have to execute one…

TELL MEARE YOU PREPARED FOR A NATURAL DISASTER?

Be as amazing as your dog thinks you are ❤️

10 Comments
  • Kristiana Almeida
    August 30, 2012

    Thanks so much for posting about pet preparedness! As a Red Crosser, I know that we encourage people to make sure their pets are ready to “shelter in place” or “evacuate” if need be. The Humane Society has wonderful information on making sure your pet is ready to go in an emergency. Here are a few tips to make sure you and the other humans in your household are ready as well 🙂 http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/preparedness

    Again, thanks for posting and we’re glad your furry friends are all safe and sound!

    • groovygoldendoodles
      August 30, 2012

      Hi Kristiana – Thanks so much for sharing the link to the Red Cross – I’m sure plenty of people will click on it.

  • Tiffany
    August 30, 2012

    Please keep us posted on Kathy and her doodles. Great information.

  • Kathy
    August 30, 2012

    My furrie babies and I thank you for reminding everyone the importance of being prepared.

    • groovygoldendoodles
      August 30, 2012

      Your furry babies are most welcome… Tell the Hampton Inn the Groovy Goldendoodles bark “YOU ROCK!”</em>

  • Bunny
    August 30, 2012

    Our babies know how to travel. This is not their “first rodeo”. Soon as they see the kennels come down from the attic, they get soo, soo excited. They know a road trip is in the plan.
    Bunny

  • groovygoldendoodles
    August 30, 2012

    Sherri from Doodle Kisses shared the following:

    “I think this is a really important issue. There is an organization called Red Rover (http://redrover.org/ ) and they set up emergency shelters during natural disasters so that people who have to evacuate have a safe place to leave their pets. One of the number one reasons why people don’t evacuate when they should is because they don’t want to leave their pets behind. They also offer guidance on how to prepare for emergencies. There is lots of information on their website to support pet owners during a crisis. I agree that everyone should have a plan in place.”

    Thank you so much Sherri

  • nana
    August 30, 2012

    Thanks for the info. Glad all are well and safe.

  • Tails Around the Ranch
    September 13, 2022

    Terrific info-well done! Here’s hoping you stay safe.

    • Cathy Bennett
      October 6, 2022

      We were so blessed to have Ian change course ever so slightly at the last minute. Winds never really reached more than 47 mph, and with the exception of some limbs down on a few streets we were okay.