Wednesday, June 2, 2010

“Pets Need Hurricane Preparedness Kits Too - First Coast News” plus 3 more

“Pets Need Hurricane Preparedness Kits Too - First Coast News” plus 3 more

Pets Need Hurricane Preparedness Kits Too - First Coast News

Posted: 02 Jun 2010 06:39 AM PDT

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ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla -- Fido and Fluffy are often family members that need to be factored into a hurricane plan and a hurricane preparedness kit.

Paul Studivant runs St. Johns County Animal Control.

He has responded to hurricane disaster areas, and he has seen what happens when pets get left behind.

Studivant said when he went around the state in 2004, "We saw a lot of animals left chained that were already deceased due to storm damage and flooding. We saw a lot of abandoned, roaming animals with no identification."

So, he says if you have to evacuate, take your pets too.

Also, take food and water. They are items which pet owners often forget.

"It seems odd," Studivant said, "but we rush out and grab all the human food we need and then we pack our pets up and we leave."

Also remember things like toys, litter boxes, and pet carriers.
 
Make sure you know the pet-friendly evacuation shelters and hotels in your area.

Get your pet records as well.

"We recommend you get your pets' medicines and records handy because some places will not allow you to enter without current shots," Studivant explained.


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Protecting your pets starts now - Daily Comet

Posted: 31 May 2010 04:14 PM PDT

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"Owners may fail to evacuate because they cannot take their animals with them, or owners who left their animals behind will later try to reenter the disaster area to rescue them," says a plan put together by Lafourche Parish government. "By providing shelters for pets, human lives will be saved."

Preparation now is key to making sure you're prepared to evacuate your pet in the event of a Category 3 or higher storm, authorities say.

This year, Terrebonne and Lafourche residents who need parish help to evacuate will be going to a shelter in Monroe and will be allowed to bring their pets with them. Once arriving in Monroe, animals will be housed in an agricultural arena next door to the Civic Center, where the people will be housed.

"The general policy will be that pet owners will be allowed to bring their pets, but they must be in a cage or kennel and they must bring their own pet food, water and medications, as well as vaccination records, with them," said Brennan Matherne, spokesman for Lafourche Parish government. "Once they get to the shelter in Monroe, the owners are responsible for taking care of the pet."

Smaller pets will ride on the buses along with the people, while the larger ones will be loaded onto another vehicle that will follow, said Valerie Robinson, manager of the Terrebonne animal shelter.

"They can ride on their laps so long as they can fit in a small carrier," she said.

If you're evacuating on your own, be sure to choose the place you're going to with your pet in mind. Be sure friends or family are OK with you having the pet there. If you're planning on a hotel, websites like www.petswelcome.com can help you find places to stay that are animal-friendly.

To keep you and your pet comfortable — and provide for help if you get separated — owners are urged to take the following with them:

- A size-appropriate crate or carrier. Make sure the latch is secure and the animal has enough room to move around. Each animal should have its own carrier; don't combine them. Be sure your pet has been in the crate before so it can be used to it.

- ID. Leashes, collars and identification tags with the owner's name, address and phone number. Label the carrier also. Also, compile medical documents, ownership records and vaccination records, which may be required for your dog or cat to stay in communal settings.

- Photos. Take clear pictures from the front and right and left sides of the pet. Include pictures with the owner, too, in case you are separated.

- Food and water bowls and a seven-day supply of food.

- Medications, along with instructions.

- Waste bags, litter boxes and litter for cats.

- Toys, blankets or other favorite items.

Space will be limited in shelters, so anyone evacuated by the parish should stick to the essentials.

- If you're evacuating on your own, consider bringing pet beds, cleaning products, bottled water for the pets or anything else needed to keep them comfortable.

Other tips from the Terrebonne animal shelter:

- Pets feel stress too. As the evacuation progresses, speak with your pet calmly and spend time together when you can.

- If your pet gets hurt, emergency broadcasts are your best bet to find an open animal hospital.

- When you return after the storm, don't just let your pet go free; keep a close eye on him or her. Be mindful that hurricane-affected areas may be littered with potential hazards like splintered wood, broken glass, rusting metals and the like. Don't let your pet eat spoiled food or dead animals. Because familiar landmarks and smells may be gone, pets may be disoriented and run off.

n If your pet is lost, these numbers may help: National Lost Pet Hotline, 1-900-535-1515; National Found Hot Line, 1-800-755-8111.

Staff Writer Kathrine Schmidt can be 857-2204 or kathrine.schmidt@houmatoday.com.


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It's HOT: 10 ways to keep your pets safe in the heat - Weblogs.baltimoresun.com

Posted: 02 Jun 2010 04:08 AM PDT

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We've hit Memorial Day, which means summer is officially here. Of course to remind us, it's already hit the 90s multiple times this week. It's a good time for a refresher on how to make sure your animals are safe and comfortable in this kind of extreme weather. Here are some tips for the Humane Society of the United States. Please pay attention to the first one, if nothing else:

1. Never leave a pet unattended in the car on a warm or sunny day. Cars quickly heat up to a dangerous temperature, even with the window slightly open.

2. Be sure to keep pets up-to-date on their vaccinations and preventative medications. Fleas and ticks stay busy in warm weather and summer is also the prime time for heartworms.

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Do Pets In Bed Pose Health, Safety Risk? - msnbc.com

Posted: 02 Jun 2010 03:04 AM PDT

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PITTSBURGH - THE PITTSBURGH CHANNEL.com

WTAE Channel 4 Action News anchor Sally Wiggin found that letting a pet sleep in its owner's bed is relatively harmless, but not everyone she talked to was in agreement as to whether or not they should.

"He tries really hard to sleep in the bed, but we have been successful to keep him from doing so," said dog owner Marry Morrow.

Her husband, Rob, added, "With three Pyrenees in the bedroom, if we had dogs sleeping in the bed, there would be no room for us."

Wiggin posed the question of pets in the bedroom to those in the waiting room of Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Center, where she found most weren't worried about catching something from their pet.

"I don't think there are too many cat or human diseases that are passed on. No, it's not a problem," said cat owner Kristina Woods.

Dr. Andrew Sahud, an infectious disease specialist, said he agrees that the risk from letting pets sleep in the bed is low.

"How long have we had domesticated pets? Probably 4,000 years. If there was a problem, it would have been weeded out a long time ago," said Sahud.

Although rare, there are some parasite diseases that people and pets can share, such as leptosporosis, which dogs can contract from drinking out of streams.

"Leptospirosis is passed through contact with the urine. Most people don't come in contact with their pet's urine. If they do, they should wash their hands," said Dr. Kenton Rexford, of the PVSEC.

Rexford said he advises pet owners wash their hands after treating an animal's wounds or coming in contact with its waste.

Rexford said he allows his dog Rogan in the bed, but the dog usually declines.

Rexford said Rogan has been treated for fleas and ticks, but cautioned pet owners to pay close attention.

"The most common adverse reactions with flea products are when people don't use them as labeled," said Rexford.

Those with allergies should also consult a doctor to find out what options are available.

"I have an air purifier in my room. I do have allergies, but I want to enjoy my pets," said Lee Nesler, of the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society.

Dr. Camille DeClementi, of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, cautions that those who use pesticides on their pets for fleas and ticks should make sure they are dry before getting into bed.

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