HURRICANE/DISASTER CHECKLIST

           Around here it is either hurricane season, or we are getting ready for hurricane season.  We at Ridgefield Animal Hospital are readying ourselves for this time of year as are many people along the Gulf coast.  After much thought, we are announcing that we no longer board animals during evacuations for storms.  Pets are now allowed at all major hotel chains and in many shelters in response to those in New Orleans who were stranded or died because they stayed behind to care for their pets.  This is a tremendous move in the right direction and is in recognition of the importance of the human-animal bond.  Pets who were left behind during Katrina and Rita had to endure being separated from their loved ones, and some owner-animal pairs were never reunited.  We at Ridgefield cannot guarantee your pet's safety once an evacuation has begun, because we ourselves have to make preparations to leave in the event it is necessary.  We cannot in good conscience ask our doctors or staff to remain behind in the event of a storm, especially if an evacuation is called.

            With this said, the following lists will help you prepare for evacuating with your pet to a safer location.  Getting all of your supplies ready now, just as getting your personal papers and medications together for you and your family members before the beginning of the season, is effort well spent.  The time you spend now may allow you to leave at a moment's notice and avoid the gridlock of a late evacuation.  This list is also handy as a basis to prepare for other "unforseen" events.  Being organized can never be underestimated when a fire strikes, flooding occurs, or even a sudden family illness or injury forces a quick change in location for the entire family.

            CAGES, COLLARS, Etc: Be sure your pet has some sort of identification on him or her.  A collar with a tag with your cell phone number is a must when evacuating because a scanner that can pick up your pet's microchip may not be available. I.D. tags can also be placed on birdcages.  Have a crate or cage for everyone if possible and, if not, be sure to identify who can be housed with whom.  Smaller cages allow more pets, people or belongings to fit in the vehicle, and with any luck, they won't be in them for more than a few days.  Don't forget food bowls, leashes, towels or blankets, and a toy or two.

            FOOD, Etc: Be sure to keep a small bag of your pet's regular diet aside for the purpose of evacuation.  This is especially important if your pet is on a special diet.  Enough for a week would be a minimum.  Bring plenty of water in case you are in an evacuation standstill - enough for you and your pets.  A gallon per person per day is suggested for people.  Simple treats are great for rewarding your pet for good behavior along the way, but don't use fatty or spicy items that might upset your pet's stomach in the car.

            MEDICATIONS: If your pet is on any chronic medications, bring a 2-week supply with you.  You may want to request that your veterinarian prepare your pet a supply to keep with your evacuation goods.  Especially important medications would be for conditions such as heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, and seizure disorders.  Don't forget heartworm medication and flea prevention for both dogs and cats.  Many pet owners requested medications from us after Katrina, but without records and with their veterinarian's offices destroyed, getting correct medications and dosages was difficult and often required seeing the pet.  You may want to keep pertinent receipts with your important papers to have a backup on medications and their dosages. 

What if my pet doesn't ride well in the car?  Covering carriers and birdcages with towels often lessens the stress of trips on pets to the point that they will rest comfortably without medication.  In cases where that is not enough, over the counter medications are available that can lessen the stress of a car ride for your pet.  Benadryl (diphenhydramine) has mild sedation as a side effect and is very safe.  The dose of 1mg per pound used up to 3 times daily is standard, but you should first check with your veterinarian if your pet is old or on other medications.  For pets that get car sick, Dramamine (diphenhydrate) can be effective.  The dose is ¼ tablet (12.5mg) per cat three times daily and 1-2mg per pound for dogs (a 50mg tablet would work for a 25-50 pound dog) up to 3 times daily.  Both are antihistamines.

Stronger sedatives and tranquilizers are discouraged because the pet cannot be easily assessed for problems while in transit, and help in the case of an emergency would not be available while on the road.  Acepromazine, the most available tranquilizer, can cause drops in heart rate and blood pressure, and can be dangerous for some pets, especially our older patients, unless they have been used before and the individual pet's dose and response is known.

CHECKLIST FOR PREPARING TO EVACUATE WITH PETS:

___ cage                                                         ___ chronic medications

___ collar                                                        ___ heartworm prevention

___ I.D. tags with cell number                          ___ flea prevention
       or out of state contact.                               ___ motion sickness meds

___ leash                                                         ___ pictures for I. D.

___ toys                                                          ___ vaccination information/rabies tag

___ towels                                            ___ containers                                                 ____  _________________________

___ food

___ water

___ medical records for ill pets                    ___  ____________________
 

This list is a start, and every situation is different.  Now is the time to add items unique to your pet's situation, and to be sure that you have the supplies and medications on hand in sufficient quantity so that your evacuation can proceed smoothly.