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Animal House
by Denise Flaim
July 30, 2006
No animal left behind: It's an admirable goal to keep in mind as Hurricane Katrina's one-year anniversary approaches and the world remembers dogs stranded on rooftops, cats clinging to windowsills, the ominously lapping water. But whether it's attainable is another story entirely. With government resources strained to help human disaster victims, self-reliance is the best approach for those with furry family members. "We try to really stress the importance of people making their own plans," says Nancy Lynch, president of the Pet Safe Coalition, a Nassau County-based group that encourages residents to be ready to take their animals with them if and when disaster strikes.
While it sounds simple, emergency preparedness is more than just grabbing a leash and heading for the door. "People say to me all the time, 'I would never leave my pet behind in a disaster,'" Lynch says. "But when I ask, 'Do you have crates or carriers?' they say, 'What, do you mean, like an orange crate?'" Lynch suggests owners ask themselves two questions: How will I safely and securely transport my animals? Where will I keep them?
Here are some tips to help you formulate your own personal evacuation plan, keeping in mind that you should be striving for self-sufficiency for a minimum of four to five days, and a maximum of seven to 10: Assemble a "go kit." Lynch uses a fishing tackle box for her kit, though a backpack is another good option. Inside are leashes, a first-aid kit, medications her two dogs might need, photos of them in case they get lost and copies of their rabies certificates and other health-related documents. She also recommends having one week's supply of food, water and cleaning supplies handy. Get a crate or carrier. If you're one of those people who balks at the idea of using these portable containment devices because you don't like the idea of putting your animal in a "cage," now's a good time to get over it. Being comfortable in a crate or other confined space is essential if your animal is to be transported during a disaster. And at the limited number of shelters that do accept animals, crates are an absolute requirement. A crate also can be the make-or-break factor in persuading a waffling relative to give you shelter with animals in tow. "If you're going to your aunt's house and she doesn't like animals, or is allergic to them, maybe you could keep the pet in the crate in a separate part of the house," says Lynch, who suggests bringing along a soft-sided crate even if your hosts are dog lovers. (Remember, though, that those fabric crates roll easily and succumb pathetically to even lukewarm chewers. They are for supervised containment
only.)
Research your havens before you need them. If you don't have family or friends who can take you in, remember that not all hotels and motels accept animals. "Get in touch in advance to see about restrictions," Lynch urges. If funds are limited, she suggests making reciprocal disaster arrangements with others in your social network, such as your house of worship. Alternately, here's where the importance of buying from a reputable breeder comes in: Even if they can't shelter the animal they brought into the world, established and well-regarded breeders are almost always "plugged in" to resources in their respective animal communities. Ditto for breed or fancier clubs; many owners of the same breed or species, from cockers to cockatoos, will step up when their "own" need help. Don't say, "It couldn't be me." Even if you don't live in a flood plain or the hurricane belt, disaster knows no boundaries. "Manmade disasters are a sad fact of life, as are accidents," such as chemical or propane spills, Lynch reminds.
Don't rely solely on microchips. Those rice-size transmitters injected under the skin reveal an owner's contact information when read by a specially designed scanner. But Lynch reminds that technology is not without its glitches: During the Katrina disaster, for example, "some of the universal scanners would jam
because they were used so much," she says. "Microchipping is great, but make sure your pet has a tag on, too."
The Pet Safe Coalition hosts frequent emergency-preparedness meetings all around Long Island. Call 516-404-5513, or visit www.petsafecoalition.org.
(Courtesy of Newsday)
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