Pet Survival
Making Sure Your Pet Survives Dangerous Situations
When disaster strikes you’ll want to be able to fend not only for yourself, but for your pet, because its survival depends on you. In order to ensure your pet stays safe and alive, you’ll want to prepare a pet safety bundle. If you know there’s a chance that a natural disaster may hit or if you’re gearing up for a trip with the family dog, you need to be equipped with a safety kit. Your pet’s safety kit should include all, if not most, of the following objects:
- First-Aid equipment. This should include paw tip bandages, gauze pads, a cold pack, antibiotic ointment, cotton tip applicators, sting relief pads, alcohol pads, medical tape, tweezers, antiseptic towelettes and gloves.
- Recent pictures. If your pet goes missing you’ll want to be prepared to show their picture.
- Pet collar. Your pet should already be wearing this and it should include the pet’s ID, name, rabies tag and your address and phone number. A lighted pet collar is ideal and can be found at many pet stores.
- Vaccination documents. Your pet should current with all their shots and it’s always good to have proof of this.
- Pet medications. If your pet takes any medications regularly this should be packed in the bundle.
- A spare leash. Again, a lighted leash is best.
- Your pet’s carrier or kennel. If a situation arises this provides a somewhat protective barrier. It also might make your pet feel more at “home.”
- Water and food carriers. Several gallons of water is ideal, also you’ll want to make sure your pet’s water is just as clean as yours. A collapsible pet bowl is the perfect alternative to dragging around heavy metal or plastic bowls.
- Pet food. There are specific emergency dog and cat foods on the market. These survival foods can last up to 5 years and met specific nutrition requirements for pets of all ages.
- A can opener. Make sure this can opener is not electric; instead opt for a hand-held one.
- Toys. You’ll want to pack a few toys just to occupy your pet so that you can focus on other things.
- Pet bedding. Pack something clean that your pet can sleep on.
- A list. Make a detailed list of special instructions that your pet requires. This list is just in case you have to give your pet to someone else to take care of until the situation or disaster is over.
When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans some pets were let loose because their owners couldn’t provide proper care to them. Packs of roaming animals not only cause survival issues for the pets involved, but also the community.
To ensure the proper care of your family pet, create a survival plan. Make sure you’re aware of the locations of animal shelters and speak to them before disaster strikes. You’ll want to ask if they take-in pets during survival situations and any advice they might have.
Additionally, pet owners can put pet locator decals on specific windows in their home so responders know the most likely location of the animal.
When a survival situation occurs, you’re not only responsible for yourself, but for those who depend on you for their survival as well.
Even when in the car, your pet’s safety should be a high priority. Did you know that now you can get car insurance with pet injury coverage? Cheap car insurance can be good, but make sure that it covers everyone in the car, including Fido.
Permalink : Comments (0) : May 12th, 2011