Search Results for: blog emergency preparedness for pets

What To Put In An Emergency Bag

Posted on by

Yet another fire breaks out in Utah. It seems that every day there is at least one. It’s starting to get really scary and there doesn’t seem to be any rain in sight. It has been 35 days since we have had any measurable rain. The forecast says we may get some thunderstorms Thursday. In most areas that would be a relief, usually, in Utah, thunderstorms mean just lots of dry lightning. Add that to the already dry conditions and we are looking at even more fires. I’ve written several posts about being prepared for emergencies but that was always … Continue reading →

Pet Preparedness

Pets can be considered part of the family. Make sure that you have a workable plan in place to take care of your pets in the event of an emergency. There are a lot of things that you can do ahead of time to ensure your pet’s safety, survival and comfort through most emergencies. In the event that you have to evacuate, you may not be able to take your pet with you. Most emergency shelters will not take pets for a number of reasons. Service animals are the exception. So, it is important to be able to do what … Continue reading →

Do You Have a Pet Emergency Evacuation Plan?

The spooky incident with my neighbor’s fire yesterday got me to thinking about emergency evacuation plans. Namely, how I don’t have one. Which was something I’d never really considered before. Have you? Sure, I had thought about how to help Murph and the cats if I wasn’t there by posting an I.C.E sticker. But I’d never really considered what I’d do if I was there during the emergency. For some, like my neighbor Cindy, the question isn’t a hypothetical one. She’s got real-life experience in two types of scenarios. One where the danger was imminent and another where it’s urgent … Continue reading →

Emergency Preparedness For Pets

Posted on by

Hurricane season begins June 1st. After last year’s deadly hurricane season, it makes sense to have a disaster plan in place for your family AND your pets. Being prepared can save your pets’ lives. If you must evacuate, you should make every attempt to evacuate your pets as well. Leaving pets behind can result in injury or worse! Before a disaster happens, you should plan a safe place to take your pets. NOTE: Red Cross disaster shelters cannot accept pets due to states’ health and safety regulations. Only service animals are allowed in Red Cross Shelters! Find hotels and motels … Continue reading →

Emergency Kits: Part 2

Posted on by

Planning for a simple family vacation. A car trip. That’s the approach we’re going to take to help you work out how to put an emergency kit together for your family. First, I want you to sit down with a pen or pencil and a piece of paper. Think about this family trip. It could be a three day car trip or a three day camping trip. Whichever level of preparedness you want to have, think about it in terms of simply packing. Now, consider these questions (this is how I plan for all trips and how I finally put … Continue reading →

The Noble Efforts of the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund

One thing I will never criticize Disney about is the good work done by the Animal Kingdom and its sometimes-partner the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.  The two might technically be separate entities – the Animal Kingdom is a part of Disney World, and the DWCF is a philanthropic branch of the Walt Disney Corporation – but they often work together. Work together, of course, being an operative word.  The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund is what it’s called: a fund.  While some employees might actually go out and do something, the primary purpose of the division is to provide financial support for … Continue reading →

Creating a Family Disaster Plan

Whether they’re earthquakes on the West Coast or hurricanes on the East Coast, disasters are getting a lot of air time these days, and for good reason. They’re scary, they cause damage and death, and they cause a lot of stress on families. A few days ago I wrote about items you can have on hand to get ready for a disaster. However, disaster preparedness is a lot more than stuff. A good disaster plan also involves thinking about how you’ll keep your family safe and connected during and after a disaster. Think about your typical day. If you’re in … Continue reading →

Staying Safe During Hurricane Sandy

The wind is howling outside, the rain is pouring down in sheets, trees are whipping around, and during this brief time when the power has been restored, I wanted to reach out to everyone who may be in the path of this “Frankenstorm,” as it is being called. We too are in its path, and have prepared as well as we could. Whether you have to evacuate or shelter in place, it is important to keep your health and safety in mind. I’ve witnessed some who prioritize comfort and entertainment over health and safety, and this is never a good … Continue reading →

Preparing for Pet Emergencies

When I prepared my house for Hurricane Irene last year I gathered all of the essential supplies. I had a plan for how to evacuate with my pets in case it was necessary, although I really didn’t think the flooding would get that bad in my area. Still, I was prepared. Another thing I did while I still had my power and access to the Internet was to make sure that I had the local emergency veterinary services number written down. We all know what number to dial when we have a human medical emergency, but do we have that … Continue reading →

Getting Ready for Hurricane Season

Posted on by

In seven days, it will be the Atlantic hurricane season. Now, Mother Nature doesn’t really read the calendar, and this past weekend Tropical Storm Alberto came to visit. He didn’t stay long, though, and quickly dwindled into a tropical depression. Alberto was a good warning to get ready, though! What should you be doing now to get prepared for hurricane season? Get your emergency kits ready. A good emergency kit will have canned food and water for at least three weeks. While canned food can last for several years, it’s best to change it every year so that you can … Continue reading →