FIRST AID KIT FOR YOUR DOG OR CAT

PET EMERGENCIES - ARE YOU READY?  Emergencies can occur anytime, anywhere.  The best thing you can do is be prepared.  Having a first-aid kit ready to go will help to reduce your anxiety if an emergency does happen.  Keep the kit readily available and check it from time to time to make sure all items are up to date and not expired.  A small plastic school pencil box, small toolbox or a fishing tackle box works quite well and will hold all the necessary equipment.

Label the outside of the box with your name, address and telephone number in case you loose it.  Include important numbers such as your veterinarian and the telephone number of a local veterinary emergency facility.

If while you're away, your pet is being kenneled or cared for by another person, be sure to discuss your pets needs with them.  Make sure they understand what you consider an emergency, how to contact you, and the name and phone number of a secondary person in case you can not be reached.  You will want to come to an agreement as to the payment of an unplanned emergency expense.  You may want to consider leaving a credit card number.

Leave with the caretaker of your pet or include in your FIRST AID KIT  a photo of each pet with the name, age, breed, sex, identification (micro-chipping information), and any health problems. This can help if your pet is lost or separated from the pet caretaker.

CONTENTS FOR A FIRST AID KIT: Roll cotton - Some cotton balls - Gauze pads - Gauze tape - Hydrogen peroxide (check the expiration date) - Hydrocortisone ointment - Scissors - Eyewash - Silver nitrate - Tweezers - Oral syringes - Pediolyte® or other balanced electrolyte fluid - Baby food (meat flavors work best) - Large towel - Exam gloves - 1 inch white tape (in addition to gauze tape) - Rolls of elastic wrap - Emergency ice pack - Thermometer (both oral and rectal thermometers can be used rectally)

It is better to be over prepared than wondering what to do next. 

YOUR PET AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

A disaster is a phenomenal sociological equalizing force. It can and will bring people together from all walks of life. Through preparation and working together, you will survive.

QUICK TIPS:

• If at all possible, don't leave your pets behind. If it's not safe for you , then it's not safe for your pet.
• Most human disaster shelters do not accept pets, other than service dogs.
• Plan ahead

To some people, animals are their children. To others they're an important way to earn a living. To many of us, they're a big part of our lives.

But when it comes to emergencies, animals, whether they're house pets, livestock, or in the wild, have often been overlooked by emergency planners and the general public. But that's changing here in the United States and elsewhere.

Make arrangements for your pets as part of your household disaster planning. If you must evacuate your home, it's always best to take your pets with you. For health and space reasons, pets will not be allowed in public emergency shelters. If, as a last resort, you have to leave your pets behind, make sure you have a plan to ensure their care.

BEFORE

• Contact your local animal shelter, humane society, veterinarian or emergency management office for information on caring for pets in an emergency. Determine locations where animals can be treated if they are seriously injured. Find out if there will be any shelters setup to take pets in an emergency. Also, see if your veterinarian will accept your pet in an emergency.
• Identify hotels and motels that accept pets located in areas not generally expected to be affected by your disaster. For an excellent database of "pet friendly" lodging throughout the country - log onto www.petswelcome.com.  Consider friends and relatives for your pet care needs, in addition to grooming facilities, pet clubs, and training clubs. If you have to board your pet, insure all health papers are in order, provide required medicine and feeding instructions to the guardian.
• Insure your pet is wearing proper identification that is functional and can be kept up-to-date. Micro-chipping your pet is a very important way to find a lost dog or cat.
• Buy a pet carrier that allows your pet to stand up and turn around inside. Train your pet to become comfortable with the carrier. Use a variety of training methods such as feeding it in the carrier or placing a favorite toy or blanket inside. The carrier will come in handy if you have to relocate.
• If your dog normally wears a chain link "choker" collar (a chocker collar should be worn only during training periods and not on a regular, unsupervised basis), have a leather or nylon collar available if you have to leave him alone for several days.
• Keep your pet's shots current and know where the records are. Most kennels require proof of current rabies and distemper vaccinations before accepting a pet.
• Contact a neighbor and plan with them how you would care for each others pets in the event either one of you aren't home if a disaster strikes. File the appropriate emergency care permission slips with your respective vets.

When assembling emergency supplies for the household, include items for pets.

• Extra food and water (2 weeks supply) The food should be dry and relatively unappealing to prevent overheating. Store the food in sturdy containers.)
• be aware of food and water spoilage in the community at large
• Feed animals at intervals they are used to
• If your pet is on medication, make sure you have an ample supply
• favorite pet treats and toys
• Kitty litter
• pet photo showing distinguishing marks
• Dog harness-more secure than just a collar when a pet panics
• Metal stake that screws into ground and chain.

Emergency kit supplies:

• Pet Food (remember livestock, and farm animals)
• Manual Can Opener
• Bottled Water
• Bowls, Water Pails
• Cleanup supplies, i.e. plastic bags and disinfectant, pooper scooper
• Flea/Tick Spray
• Extra Brush, Collar
• Blanket
• If your pet requires special medication, be sure you have an ample supply
• Keep your pets vaccinations up to date and keep a license tag and identification tag on her/him at all times
• Have an up-to-date photo which depicts unique characteristics of your pet
• Ice cooler chest for perishables and medication that needs refrigeration. You can replenish ice at most human shelters.

Pet First Aid Kit (see above)  Check with your veterinarian for additional suggestion

If you have to leave your pet at home--and this should be a last resort:

• Decide on safe locations in your house where you could leave your pet in an emergency.
• Consider easy to clean areas such as utility areas or bathrooms and rooms with access to a supply of fresh water. Avoid choosing rooms with hazards such as windows, hanging plants or pictures in large frames
• Leave familiar items such as the pet's normal bedding and favorite toys. Leave a two or three day supply of dry food, even if it's not the pets usual food. The food should not be moistened because it turn rancid or sour. Leave the food in a sturdy container that the pet cannot overturn.
• Leave the water in a sturdy, no-spill container. 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.
• Replace a chain link "choker" collar with a leather or nylon collar. Make sure the collar has tags and identification.
• Keep small pets away from cats and dogs.
• In case of flooding, the location should have access to high counters that pets can escape to.
• Set up two separate locations if you have dogs and cats. The added stress could make them unfriendly to each other.
• Insure there is plenty of water and food available for your pet.
• Post a notice on your house indicating where you are, the location of your animal inside your house, and your vet's address and phone number
• Never leave your pet chained outside during a storm

DURING

Bring your pets inside immediately. Animals have instincts about severe weather changes and will often isolate themselves if they are afraid. Bringing them inside early can stop them from running away. Never leave a pet outside or tied up during a storm.

If you evacuate and plan to take your pets, remember to bring your pet's medical records and medicines with your emergency supplies.

AFTER

If after a disaster you have to leave town, take your pets with you. Pets are unlikely to survive on their own. In the first few days after the disaster, leash your pets when they go outside. Always maintain close contact. Familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and your pet may become confused and lost. Also, snakes and other dangerous animals may be brought into the area with flood areas. Downed power lines are a hazard.

The behavior of your pets may change after an emergency. Normally quiet and friendly pets may become aggressive or defensive. Watch animals closely. Leash dogs and place them in a fenced yard with access to shelter and water.

If you remain at your residence after the disaster and your pet is outside, insure it stays out of harms way from falling debris.

Remember, your pets are nervous too. Don't forget to give them reassuring hugs frequently.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A VARIETY OF DOG OR CAT FABRICS - WE HAVE IT.

UPDATED NOVEMBER 15, 2009