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Pet
Safety Tips |
| Pet
Safety Fact #1: Take several pictures of all the animals
in your household and keep these pictures with your important
insurance papers (include vaccination records, too). Be sure
to include in the pictures any distinguishing marks. These pictures
can help reunite you with a lost pet. Store the pictures in
a resealable plastic bag in case you have to post them during
rainy months. |
| Pet
Safety Fact #2: Have at least a week's supply of pet food
and water on hand at all times. Store the dry food in air tight/waterproof
containers. If you use canned food, buy the flip top cans or
have a can opener in your airtight disaster supply container.
Keep some of your pet's favorite treats on hand - they get stressed,
too, and a treat provides them some comfort. Also keep a supply
of cat litter, a clean litter scoop, and litter pan in your
disaster kit. |
| Pet
Safety Fact #3: Put a collar and tag (with address and phone
number) on your pets. This will increase your chances of reuniting
you with your pets if they escape. |
| Pet
Safety Fact #4: Always keep a back-up supply of your pets'
medications. A vet may not be open for some time following a
disaster. Prepare to ice down medications that need to be refrigerated
(ice is available from the Red Cross). Ask your vet is he/she
has a disaster plan. Your pets may need medical attention after
a disaster and you need to know where to take your animal. Keep
a first aid kit in your disaster kit for your pet (check with
your vet on what to include). |
| Pet
Safety Fact #5: Have a pet carrier or evacsack to evacuate
each pet in your household. If you have to confine the pet(s)
for a long period of time, have a carrier large enough to hold
a shoe box sized litter box, a water/food dish, and room for
the pet to comfortably lie down. Ensure the carrier is not left
in the sun, and, if it is warm, that the pet gets good ventilation.
If you must take the pet out, do so in a confined space as the
pet may try to run away. |
| Pet
Safety Fact #6: Start a buddy system with someone in your
neighborhood so that they will check on your animals during
disaster in case you aren't home. Agree to do the same for them.
Exchange information on veterinarians and have a permission
slip put in your file at the vets, authorizing your buddy to
get necessary emergency treatment for your pet in case you can't
be reached. Talk with your pets' "babysitter" about
a disaster plan to be used to evacuate and care for your animals
in your absence. |
| Pet
Safety Fact #7: Comfort your pet during a disaster - they
are frightened, too. Having you near to give them a hug will
help. Do not force this - let them come to you when they are
ready. Hurricanes, Typhoons, and other natural disasters are
just as disturbing for pets as they are children. |
| Pet
Safety Fact #8: In the event of a natural or other disaster,
continue to feed your pets the food they are used to and put
it out as close to the normal time as possible. If you feed
canned food, reduce the normal amount by half (supplement with
dry food) to reduce the possibility of diarrhea. Be sure to
provide your pets with fresh water at all times. |
| Pet
Safety Fact #9: To properly fit your pet's collar, use a
piece of string to measure your animal's neck. Add two inches
and that is the size of collar you need. Insure you can place
two fingers under the collar comfortably. |
| Pet
Safety Fact #10: Put a collar and tag (with address and
phone number) on your pets' collar. This will increase your
chances of reuniting you with your pets if they escape. |
| Pet
Safety Fact #11: Know where the animal shelters are in your
area. You may need to visit them to look for a missing pet.
Also call the National Lost Pet Hotline, 1-900-535-1515 to report
a lost pet. Call the National Found Pet Hotline, 1-800-755-8111
to report a found animal. |
| Pet
Safety Fact #12: In the event of a disaster, check with
local news media for facilities offering disaster animal rescue
and relief. |
| Pet
Safety Fact #13: HOUSE AND YARD PLANTS - Not only are a
majority of houseplants poisonous to pets, they can be easily
ruined by animals shredding the leaves or knocking them over.
Even chewing on grass can be harmful if the grass has been recently
sprayed with fertilizer or pesticides. |
| Pet
Safety Fact #14: Many household cleaning products are also
unsafe for pets. Never assume that if the product is safe for
humans it is also safe for pets. Even if you pet does not eat
the product, they could unknowingly walk through it and lick
their paw. Another danger is when the chemicals release fumes
that cause skin or eye irritations. Quaternary disinfectants
which have a ammonium chloride base is safer to use around animals
than phenol or carbolic acid bases which can be lethal. The
pet-safe disinfectant Chlorasan can be purchased from vets and
will kill most viruses and bacteria safely. Ask your vet about
Chlorasan and other safe cleaning supplies |
| Pet
Safety Fact #15: Keep gasoline, solvents, weed killers,
antifreeze, rat poisons, boric acid, mothballs varnish removers,
acetone and other common everyday items out of your pets reach.
Think of your pet as a curious child and protect them by taking
the precautionary measures to prevent potential hazards. |
| Pet
Safety Fact #16: Remove pins and nails they could step on
and make sure plastic bags are not left on the floor as a suffocation
hazard. |
| Pet
Safety Fact #17: Pets could also chew on live electrical
cords that could burn their mouth or lead to death. |
| Pet
Safety Fact #18: Part of being a responsible pet owner is
to vaccinate your pet, create a safe environment for them and
familiarize yourself with potential dangers. Take your pet to
the vet annualy, and make sure to have their teeth cleaned regularly.
You can get a tooth care kit from your vet. Do NOT use regular
toothpaste with flouride - the kind of flouride contained in
human toothpaste can kill your pet! |
| Pet
Safety Fact #19: Remember to have your dog or cat spayed
or neutered. This will not only reduce your pet’s desire
to roam, it will also help reduce the number of stray and unwanted
animals that will be put to sleep each year by the Humane Society
and other organizations. It's a trade off - vaccinating your
pet can prevent him from a painful and early death by heartworms
and other parasites, as well as rabies, parvivirus, lyme disease,
and other deadly dangers. But those vaccines are chemicals and
chemicals affect our bodies in many ways. Because of the number
of vaccinations it takes to keep your pet healthy and long-lived,
not spaying or neutering them puts them at a much higher risk
for cancer of all kinds. |
| Pet
Safety Fact #20: A pet is a fun and welcome addition to
any family, providing the family is ready for the responsibilities
associated with having a pet. It is important to be aware that
many types of pets are inappropriate unless your family is truly
dedicated to caring for the pet as it gets larger. Pets are
a big commitment; think carefully when deciding to introduce
a pet into your home. Regular vetrinary checkups and vaccinations
are a large part of properly caring for your pet. Regular grooming
is also a necessity, and when combined with the cost of food,
toys, treats, and other expenses, properly caring for a pet
is an investment that should be carefully considered. Make sure
that you are able to give your pet not only love, but all of
the other things it needs to be healthy and feel secure. |
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