How To Plan For Pet Emergencies
The devastation of the fires in California have reminded us of a few important pet safety tips that we want to share with you this week. Since we never know when a disaster can strike, or when animals may be lost and/or in need of an urgent rescue, it's important to be prepared.
Emergencies can come in many forms and may require anything from a brief absence from your home to permanent evacuation. The best thing a pet owner can do is take action or plan ahead of time in order to keep your beloved pets safe.
Read our pet safety tips below!
Dog Licenses
A dog license is a tag that gets updated yearly, depending on where you live, and is meant to be worn on the collar so dogs can quickly be identified if ever lost. By licensing your dog, you are registering them with your state. The tag will have a specific set of numbers on it that identifies you as the dog owner and provides your contact information.
Many dog owners wonder if they need a license if their pet is microchipped. While both are important, a microchip is injected under your dog's skin, so they are not outwardly visible. A dog must be taken to a shelter or vet to have the chip scanned. In this instance, a dog license and tag offers a quicker way to identify a lost pet and contact the owner immediately.
Having a license also shows that your pet is up to date with rabies vaccination. In fact, you cannot get a license in Massachusetts without proof of rabies vaccination. Just this week, Helping Hands assisted our friend Emmitt with the expense of an exam and his rabies and distemper vaccines at the Petco Vaccination Clinic so that his owner could renew his dog license. Meet Emmitt below!
Microchipping
Unlike a collar or ID tag, a microchip cannot be removed or lost, providing a reliable and permanent way to identify your pet. While both are important, a microchip should be your first line of defense when you consider its reliability. It's statistically proven that microchips help return thousands of pets home every year.
Having your pet microchipped is a quick and painless procedure that can be done during a routine vet visit. The microchip contains important information including the pet's name, owner's name, address, and phone number. After the microchip is inserted, it needs to be registered with the manufacturer and updated to reflect your current phone number and address.
Create An Emergency Plan For Your Pet
Pets are important members of the family and should always be included in emergency preparedness plans. Ensure you have the things your furry friends need to be safe and healthy during an emergency.
If you have to evacuate your home, it's helpful to have an evacuation plan for your pet. Many public shelters and hotels do not allow pets. Identify possible pet-friendly locations where you can take your pets ahead of time. Be prepared with a list of friends, family, boarding facilities, animal shelters, or veterinarians that can care for your animals in case of an emergency.
Assemble an Emergency Kit For Your Pet
It's always a good idea to have a pet emergency kit assembled and easily accessible, just in case you need it. Your kit should include the following: a sturdy leash, harnesses and/or carrier to transport pets safely and ensure that they can't escape. Food, drinking water, bowls, cat litter/pan/scoop and a manual can opener if your pet eats canned food. Medications and copies of medical records stored in a waterproof container.
It's important to prepare for disaster or an everyday emergency before it happens. We hope you found these tips to be helpful and informative. Stay safe!
