PET OWNERS: BE PREPARED FOR AN EMERGENCY
Before a storm
n Keep your pet’s vaccinations current and paperwork easily accessible.
n Use a collar with proper identification and rabies tag.
n Make a list of potential pet refuges in the event of emergency: shelters, veterinary clinics, friends and relatives.
n Make a list of pet-friendly hotels and motels.
n Assemble an emergency pet supply kit in a waterproof container. It should include copies of your pet’s veterinary history, including medical conditions, vaccination information and any current prescription medications; a sturdy, comfortable carrier or crate large enough to accommodate your pet for several days (be sure it can stand and turn around in it); and a three- to five-day supply of food and water, including bowls and a manual can opener if your pet eats canned food.
n Bring your pet inside well before the storm begins. Never leave it chained outside.
During a storm
Animals can become frightened by unfamiliar noises. Keeping a pet within sight when possible will reassure it.
Never tranquilize a pet. It will inhibit its natural survival instincts to escape potential danger.
After a storm
Help reorient your pet to its home territory by walking it on a leash. It may be confused if landmarks and familiar scents are altered.
Contact your local animal control office if a pet is missing, to find out where lost animals can be recovered. Bring a picture of your pet, or a microchip number.
n Don’t allow your pet to drink water or eat food that may be contaminated.
n Animals can become aggressive or defensive after a disaster. Monitor your pet’s behavior and contact your veterinarian if it does not subside.
n Spay or neuter your pet so it won’t add to the stray-animal population if it is lost for any period of time.
Realizing that the journey to recovery is a multifaceted story with no end in sight, the Heralds are chronicling all aspects of the rebuilding effort in a series of weekly articles with a common theme, South Shore Rising.