P.O. Box 1655

Tomball, TX 77377

a713-738-8886

(713-Pet-Tutor)

9am-7pm Mon-Fri

Sat. (by appt. only)

HURRICANE PREPARATION FOR YOUR PETS

Be prepared today!! Have an ID tag and microchip on your dog before you need it.

Proper planning before a hurricane could save your life and that of your pet.

The biggest threats from hurricanes occur during June through October. The Pet Tutor is encouraging pet owners to prepare now in case of a hurricane or other disaster. While people make plans to secure their homes and families in case of a hurricane, many forget to make sure their pets will be safe and protected until it’s too late. Pet owners are always advised to keep their pets up-to-date on vaccinations and licensing. However, during a disaster it is even more important as prevention against the spread of disease and to ensure that pets have the best chance of being returned to their owners.

A Microchip ID is recommended as a permanent form of identification for pets in case tags and other types of identification are lost. The Microchip ID is a small computer chip about the size of a grain of rice and is implanted by injection under the animal’s skin between the shoulder blades. All animal control agencies, humane organizations, and veterinarians have scanners that read the microchip’s unique number that identifies the owner. Permanent identification, such as the microchip, is the best way to ensure that pets can be identified following a disaster or any time an animal’s ID tags are lost.

ADVANCE PREPARATIONS

____ Acquire a pet carrier for each pet in your household. These carriers should be either metal or plastic construction; cardboard carriers will fall apart if they get wet. Carriers should be large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around, but still small enough for you, with the help of other family members, to load into your vehicle. Your pet should be comfortable in the carrier since it may need to be confined for several hours daily, for four or five days.

____ Train your pet to confinement in the carrier. Plastic carriers can be taken apart and used as a bed at the start of training. Dangerous animals must have escape-proof cages.

____ Make sure that your pet vaccines are up to date. Your pet will likely be exposed to other pets and should not endanger these, nor be unprotected from diseases which they may carry. The necessary vaccines are:

DOGS - Rabies, Distemper, Hepititus, Parvovirus, and Bordatella (cough vaccine).
CATS - Rabies, Distemper, Pneumonitis, Feline Leukemia.

____ Put your pet's vaccination papers in a waterproof plastic bag. You will need these to be permitted into a boarding kennel or temporarly shelter.

____ Pack a box or plastic garbage bag with your Pet Survival Kit for ready evacuation.

____ Mark all of your pet's belongings (carrier, dishes, scoop, can opener, food container, etc.) with an adhesive label and waterproof ink or indelible pencil. Include your pet's name, your name, address, phone number, and alternate phone number (friend or relative living outside this area).

____ Be sure that all pets wear identification at all times. A snugly fitted leather collar with attached County license tag and/or rabies vaccination tag could be the means of returning lost pets. Breakaway collars are not likely to stay on a lost cat. An added precaution against loss of a pet is an attached metal tag with your pet's name, your name, address, phone number, and alternate phone number. Hasty identification of a pet could be waterproof ink or pencil markings inside a leather collar or even adhesive tape.

____ Be prepared to evacuate should it become necessary. Decide well in advance where you will go. If you have friends or relatives outside of the storm area, you may wish to go with your pets. You will have 24-48 hours notice of a possible hurricane. The roads will be crowded and the hurricane could change direction, so leave early and closely monitor weather information.

____ Make arrangements ahead of time to board your pets at a structurally sound boarding kennel or veterinary clinic. Ask about staffing and security during the storm. PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN AMERICAN RED CROSS PUBLIC SHELTERS. Remember: boarding space is very limited and will be provided by advance reservation. By providing a carrier for your pet, you will greatly increase the boarding capacity of the kennel, thereby improving your chances of accommodation. Proof of your pet's vaccinations will be required. Your pet's supplies should be taken to the facility. Regular boarding rates will be charged.

____ If you wish to have your pet with you, upon evacuation, you may: (1) stay with friends or family members in a safe area; or (2) make reservations at a hotel which allows pets. It would be wise to call for information at the earliest possible time. Large pets may be denied admission in some hotels, boarding facilities, or even with friends. It is essential to make prior arrangements.

____ Drive the route to the boarding kennel, hotel, or friend's home so that you are familiar with alternate routes, which are less likely to be crowded with traffic.

____ Have a full tank of gas if there is any likelihood of a hurricane in this area.

____ Know where emergency veterinary care can be had and where lost pets may be located, if found.

HURRICANE WARNINGS

As a general rule, there will be 24-48 hours notice of a possible hurricane in our area. If you have made your preparations, you should be ready to:

____ Confirm accommodations for your pet and for yourself.

____ Load your prepared supplies and those of your pet, into your vehicle, if you are to evacuate.

____ Secure your home.

____ Walk your pet on a leash.

____ Do not leave pets outdoors or tied up. Take them inside or evacuate them.

____ Cover caged birds, kennel dogs, cats, and other exotic pets, and load them into your car for evacuation, or place them in the pre-selected safe area of the house. If you do not have to evacuate, fill bathtubs, boats, barrels, and as many available containers with water for drinking and cooking. Swimming pool water can be used to flush toilets or to wash and bathe. Extra chlorine will be needed to shock pools every few days.

REMEMBER - Electricity will be off, well pumps will not work, city water will likely be contaminated. Clean water can be sterilized for people or animal consumption by adding two drops of chlorine to one quart of water and let stand for 30 minutes.

IF YOU ARE TO EVACUATE:

____ Take your pet to the prearranged facility by your chosen route.

IF YOU MUST EVACUATE WITHOUT YOUR PETS:

____ Leave dry food for them. Do not leave large dogs, small cats, dogs, or birds together. Leave non-spill containers of water for each pet. Birds need an automatic feed dispenser.

____ Do not release pets during a hurricane for any reason.

AFTER THE HURRICANE

Recovery from a hurricane will start as soon as the rain and wind stop. The first step is the clearing of debris on roads to permit access to the damaged area. This could take three to seven days. Full recovery may not occur for six months to a year, or more.

____ Since kennel facilities which accepted your pet will be overcrowded and understaffed, it is imperative that you reclaim your pet as quickly as possible.

____ People and pets who stayed with friends during the storm should appreciate the strain which their presence puts on their hosts. They should leave as soon as possible. During their stay, they should act the part of "perfect guests" and help the host/hostess.

____ If you had to leave your pets at home, it is URGENT that you check on them as soon as you are allowed into the area.

____ Do not release pets after a hurricane even in their own yards. Familiar scents will have been washed away, and they will likely get lost. Be sure to check fences before letting pets out.

____ Be alert for rotted substances which your pet may find when released into your yard.

____ Lost animals will be housed at specified locations for a few days after the storm. They will then be transferred to "foster homes" for an extended stay, and every effort will be made for the animal to be adopted. However, if not adopted the animal will ultimately be disposed.

____ Since the number of "LOST" pets will very likely far exceed the available temporary or permanent homes, it is essential that you make every effort to find your pet and assume your responsibility.

PET SURVIVAL KIT

Collar with proper ID and rabies tag/license	Newspapers, cat litter, scoop, plastic trash bags for handling waste	All daily medication (heartworm can be given a few days early, if evacuating)	Any special instructions regarding care of your pet
Vaccination papers (keep iwith you)	Pet carrier or cage	Covers for bird cages
Proper ID on all belongings	Water/food bowls	Non electric can opener
Photo of your pet	Leashes	Ample food supply (at least two weeks)