National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day

The 2023 Hurricane season begins May 1st on the Pacific coast and June 1st on the Atlantic coast so be prepared to batten down the hatches at some point this year. 

​Although the peak time along the Texas coast is between August and September, historically hurricanes have struck the coast throughout hurricane season. 

​Since 1851, hurricanes hit the coast averaging once every 3 years. The Atlantic Hurricane Season lasts until Nov 30. Franklin was the most recent hurricane (Feb.26, 2023).

IMAGE COURTESY OF NOLA NEWS

National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day is a reminder for us to have a pet 'Grab and Go' bag prepared in the unlikely event we would ever need one. It’s not just about hurricanes. Floods, tornadoes, fire and any other emergency you can imagine where you have to grab your pet and leave. 

This is your reminder to plan out your grab bag and where you would keep it.  If you have one already it is the opportunity to update your bag and check for anything out-of-date.
 
Plan Things Today: 

• Microchip your pets if they have not been.
• ​Gather your supplies, and identifiable pictures. Make sure documentation is sealed in waterproof bags
• Locate a vet and pet friendly hotel away from you. If you had to evacuate, where would you go? 
• Specify a meeting place if separated, and your exit plan. 

Please, consider in a quiet time, what you need to take care of or transport your four-legged family in a natural disaster or fire. Talk through your exit plan with your family. Put together your own emergency kit today.

Here is a Packing List for your Dogs
 
7 Day Perishable: 

• Bottled water
• Dog food (food is #1 underestimated item),
• Treats

Gear: 

• Leash
• Collar
• Tags 
• Pet Life Vest (A Harvey survivor)
• Crate
• Crate Pad
• Towel
• Muzzle: A muzzle will insure your pet is safe from a biting incident when he is scared, in an uncertain environment, possibly injured and/or surrounded by strangers.

• Wipes
• Sealable baggies
• Towels
• Scissors
• Chew toy
• Records: Vaccination records, picture(s) in waterproof bag
• 1st Aid Kit: Gauze, Hydrogen Peroxide, ACE bandage, Eye dropper, Antibacterial wash, Bottle of Dawn, Calming Tablets, Eye wash, Listerine, small spray bottle (50/50 water/Listerine*), any medicine, Air  freshener, can of pumpkin (plain), medical spool tape, burn dressing 4x4, nitrile gloves. Bandana, thermal blanket, Hema-Seal Blood-stopper Trauma Dressing, Commercial 1st Aid kits are good, but incomplete 

Why pumpkin? Pumpkin can settle an upset stomach. Helps with liquid stools. Calming treats help ease anxiety and other stress related issues. When our show dogs were exposed to a new virus the vet told us to spray them down with 50/50 Listerine and water to kill the germs. Then they were quarantined. If your pet has been soaked in flood water, it is filthy and contaminated.  After the storm is notably a very dangerous time as well.
 
Take a Red Cross Pet First Aid Class online.  It is a 35-minute course about the basics for caring for a hurt pet from vital signs to CPR and more.  I have used this information to save puppy lives and care for injuries. Well worth it. https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/first-aid/cat-dog-first-aid
How would you and your pet fare? Take care. Be prepared.
 
*50/50 Listerine was directed by a vet when we were exposed to air borne dog flu virus.  It can be sprayed on the dog, car, clothes, etc., as an antibacterial agent.    ​   

REFERENCES:
CARLIE KOLLATH WELLS | Staff writer. “A Cat 4+ Hurricane Has Touched Almost Every Part of the Gulf Coast in Last 5 Years; See Map.” NOLA.Com, 29 Sept. 2022, www.nola.com/news/hurricane/a-cat-4-hurricane-has-touched-almost-every-part-of-the-gulf-coast-in-last/article_705d9f3e-400c-11ed-88bf-0f82e72c0797.html.