Although September is officially Pet Emergency Preparedness month, I thought better late than never in making sure you are also prepared to keep your pets healthy in the event of an emergency.Would you know what to do if your dog was bite by snake, like when this brave dog was bit while protecting his loved ones? Warning: Graphic Content DOG SAVES GIRL FROM RATTLESNAKE VIDEO?
Seconds and minutes matter. It’s best to read and regularly refresh your first aid and CPR knowledge using a Dog or Cat First Aid Book, as well as attending a Dog First Aid Course every 1-2 years. Reach out to your local Red Cross or Rescue Organization to see if they offer or know of a nearby course opportunities.
Of course, in most parts of the world there is also potential for a variety of natural disasters: earthquakes, fires, tornado, floods, etc. Do you have a plan to evacuate with your pets?
Pet Emergency Preparedness
Here is a short list of items you should have in your emergency pack for your pets :
- Emergency Blanket
- Sleeping Bag
- First Aid Kit
- Dog and/or Cat First Aid Book
- Water (enough for at least three days—so at least a few gallons for them, as well as a few for you)
- Water Purification Tablets
- Dog Food (regularly check expiration)
- Dog Bowls (one for food one for water)
- Dog Leash
- Dog Seat Belt (see my post about my favorite product at http://feetandpaws.com/safest-way-to-drive-with-your-dog/)
- Potty Bags
- Wet Ones
- Dog Booties (in case the terrain is hot, cold, or hard to manage)
- Cat Food (regularly check expiration)
- Cat Bowls (one for food one for water)
- Cat Collar and ID Tags
- Cat Harness
- Cat Leash
- Cat Carrier/Pillowcase
- Canned Food Covers
- Laminated Photos of Pets for Lost Posters
- Copies of Pet Proof of Ownership
- Copies of Recent Vaccines/Medical Records
Also have on hand the list of regional Dog Friendly Hotels in case there are no emergency shelters that can accommodate you and your pets.
And on a lighter note, we all love being one step closer to understanding our dogs, so check out CNN reporting WHY DO DOGS EAT GRASS?
