Heart wrenching images of Hurricane Katrina's four-legged victims are too much for most of us to bear.
Fortunately the majority of people around the country have their loving companions next to them while they are watching the devastating news of dogs left to fend for themselves and people making the choice of their pet or their own rescue. A
disaster such as Hurricane Katrina is not a common occurrence, but it does bring up important questions about what you would do with your dog if an emergency did arise in your household and you were unable to return to your home. Some important facts to keep in mind:
- Is your dog microchipped? The majority of shelters have a scanning device that can read the microchip that is placed under your dog's skin. The microchip carries important identifying information for your dog and can be provided at many shelters and vet's offices for a nominal fee in a matter of seconds.
- Make sure your dog has a collar with updated identification tags. This is a simple way for people to contact you if your dog has been found.
- Find out where lost dogs are taken in your neighborhood. Some cities have a central location where dogs are placed for the first 24-48 hours before being relocated to area shelters. Save yourself time by doing a little research now!
- Have a sign in your window so emergency personnel know that there is a pet inside your home that needs to be rescued.
- Have a designated person(s) to check in on
your pet in case of an emergency. Give them a list of reputable boarding facilities just in case they are not able to take your dog into their own home.
- Where are your local emergency vet
clinics? You do not want to be scrambling for this information when your dog needs immediate care.
- Is your dog up to date on vaccinations? If
your dog is placed in a shelter, boarding facility, or
lost on the street you want to make sure that he is
protected against diseases that he would not
otherwise be exposed to in your home.
- Where can you go with your dog if you
must leave your home unexpectedly? Keep a list of
dog-friendly hotels so you know where you can go if
you are unable to stay in your home.
- Bring familiar objects for your dog. If
possible, grab a favorite toy or dog bed with familiar
scents that can reduce anxiety in a stressful
situation.
- Never underestimate the power of the
internet! E-mail yourself or a friend a picture of your
dog so you have a picture available to post in case
of separation. You can send the picture to local
shelters and websites such as Craigslist.com or
Petfinder.com.
A little advanced planning on your part could be the
difference between a happy reunion or heartache for
you and your dog. While we all pray that we will
never need to use this information, having it on hand
as a quick reference can bring some peace of mind in
an emergency situation.
Kimberly Zlatin is a freelance copywriter and
entrepreneur. She owns and runs www.barkslope.com, an online dog boutique selling dog clothes, dog carriers, dog beds and more. Kimberly can be contacted at 773-572-8222.
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