Bruce Mandelblit
Tuesday, July 16, 2002

You see the stunning headlines almost every day. Wildfires. Hurricanes. Floods. Earthquakes. Hazardous material incidents. Terrorism. A disaster can strike anytime and anywhere, without warning.

Hopefully, you have an appropriate disaster plan in place for your family, but have you ever thought of what you would do with your dog, cat or other pet if a disaster struck today?

Here are some pet disaster preparedness ideas from the Humane Society of the United States:

1. If you evacuate, take your pet. This is the single most important thing you can do to protect your pet. Animals left behind can easily be injured, lost or killed. If you leave, even if you think you may be gone only a few hours, take your animals. Once you leave, you have no way of knowing how long you will be kept out of the area, and you may not be able to go back for your pets. Also, leave early. Don't wait for a mandatory evacuation order.

Quick Security Tip: If you wait to be evacuated by emergency officials, you may be told to leave your pets behind.

2. Don't forget your pets' identification. Your pets should be wearing up-to-date identification at all times.

Quick Security Tip: It's a good idea to include the telephone number of a friend or relative outside your immediate area, because if your pet is lost this telephone number will be answered even if you're away from your home.

3. Find a safe place for your pets ahead of time. Since evacuation shelters generally don't accept pets (except for service animals), you must plan ahead to ensure that your family and pets will have a safe place to stay.

Quick Security Tip: Some places to check include hotels and motels outside your immediate area; friends, relatives or others outside your immediate area; boarding facilities and veterinary offices; and, as a last resort, your local animal shelter.

4. If you don't evacuate, and your family and pets must wait out a disaster at home, identify a safe area of your home where you can all stay together.

Quick Security Tip: Keep your dogs on leashes and cats in carriers, and make sure they are wearing IDs. Also, have any medications and a supply of pet food and water inside watertight containers, along with your other emergency supplies.

5. Just as you should prepare a proper disaster kit for your family, you should do the same for your pets. Your pet disaster kit should include:

• Medications and medical records stored in a waterproof container and a first aid kit. You may also want to include a pet first aid book.

• Sturdy leashes, harnesses and carriers to transport pets to safety and to ensure that your pets cannot escape.

• Current photos and descriptions of your pets to help others identify them in case you and your pets become separated, and to prove that they are yours.

• Food and water for at least three days for each pet, bowls, cat litter and litter box, and a manual can opener.

• Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to board your pets or place them in foster care.

• Pet beds and toys, if you can easily take them, to reduce stress.

• Other useful items include newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags, grooming items and household bleach.

These are just a few pet disaster plan suggestions. For more details, please go to the Humane Society of the United States website at www.hsus.org.

A Final Thought: Just as you plan for your family, it is important to think about your special family members – your pets. Proper disaster preparation now will pay off later with the safety of your family and pets, in case disaster should strike.

Please remember – if the situation is unsafe for you, then it is also unsafe for your pets.

Copyright 2002 by Bruce Mandelblit.

"Staying Safe" with Bruce Mandelblit is a regular column for the readers of NewsMax.com and NewsMax.com magazine.

Bruce welcomes your security, safety and crime prevention questions. He will answer questions of general interest in his column. Bruce's e-mail address is CrimePrevention123@yahoo.com.

Bruce is a nationally known security specialist, as well as a highly decorated reserve Law Enforcement Officer.

Bruce was recently commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel – the state's highest honor – by Gov. Paul E. Patton for his public service.

This column is provided for general information purposes only. Please check with your local law enforcement agency and legal professional for information specific to you and your jurisdiction.

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