POTENT PLANS Safeguard Your Pet in Natural Disasters
Few hazards are more perilous for animals than catastrophic storms and wildfires. Hundreds of pets were abandoned or killed in Hurricane Ida in 2021, and more than 1,000 pets perished in the 2022 Marshall Fire in Colorado. As disaster relief organizations learn more about the risks to pets during natural disasters, a central fact is becoming clear: The animals most likely to survive are those whose owners understand the most common threats and do everything they can to guard against them. Lack of planning. Owners being caught off guard is one of the biggest causes of pet fatalities. Pack an additional emergency kit for your pet, including food, water, cat litter, litter box, leashes, harnesses, or carriers. Pets often panic and struggle to flee during an evacuation, so carriers and leashes must be sturdy. Lack of shelter. Many shelters and hotels cannot accept pets. Look into pet-friendly hotels and motels along your evacuation route and make reservations if needed. Also, make a list of friends, shelters, veterinarians, relatives, or boarding facilities that might care for your pet in an emergency. Include any items you need to board your pet in your disaster kit, including medications, feeding schedules, and a veterinarian contact.
Separation from owners. Tuck current
photos of your pets into your kit so that you can help rescue workers identify them if you are separated.
Place secure collars with identification tags on your pets, and consider having them microchipped for identification. Animal welfare groups also provide stickers for the door or window of your home to let emergency workers know pets are inside. Finally, talk with your neighbors about checking on each other’s pets. A researcher into the 2022 Marshall Fire in Colorado was evacuating her home with her two cats when she noticed a dog alone inside a neighbor’s house. Fortunately, she was able to reach the owner and rescue the dog. She said she could have saved other neighborhood pets, too, had she asked in advance for owners’ permission.
Clients Spreading the Word
N ePwo lSi cCi eVs C
UnNtiloFtiucrether Due to a staffing shortage, SCVC will be closed on the first and third Saturday of the month. We will continue to be open on the second and
Cathy Meskel Bob McLaughlin Catherine Lemond Sharlene Mills Diane Romarine Kim Briarwood
• At the time of scheduling a
dental or surgery appointment, a $250 deposit will be required. This deposit will be applied to the procedure bill. If you need to cancel the appointment, and you give us at least 24-hour notice, the deposit will be refunded.
• Due to the increasing cost of
fourth Saturdays. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
credit card processing, there is now a 3% service charge added to all clinic services and products. If paying with cash, check, or PIN debit, there is no charge.
3
We Reward Referrals!
WWW.SURFACECREEKVETERINARYCENTER.COM
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator