by Ellen Kudlicki

Created on: June 15, 2008

Pets have become more than just necessary assistants to control rats and herd sheep, pets have become members of the family. Some of the traumatic scenes from the evacuation of the Gulf Area after Katrina, involved the immense sadness and concern that people experienced by having to abandon pets. While it is understandable that emergency facilities cannot and should not compromise human life and welfare to shelter animals, it is still a very disturbing image for animal lovers everywhere.

First of all, why you should plan ahead. Whether you live in an area prone to hurricanes, earthquakes, wild fires, tornadoes or floods, you must do an assessment of your potential need to evacuate. If such a situation comes to pass, by having scouted the area you will know where to go and what to take with you. If you can manage to be prepared with needs for all members of your family, you can possible seek shelter that will allow pets. Some motels and hotels permit trained and managed pets on a limited basis. By seeking out such information in advance, you limit the possibility of having to abandon a beloved pet to fend for themselves. Make sure that as with humans, you have any medications or special foods needed by your furry family member. It is also extremely important that all pets be tagged in some way. That way in the event that your pet is separated or lost, they can be returned. By getting tags you also make sure that your pet is current on vaccinations. This will help them avoid diseases that can run rampant in an unchecked pet population when they are in kennel conditions.

Secondly, do consider your pet when you make emergency plans. Most fire departments have window stickers to alert them to seek pets in the event of an emergency. When moving a pet, they may become frightened and will try to run away or bite. Be careful and calm even with your own pet under stressful conditions. Animals sense fear and can misinterpret it. Animals are also very cognizant of weather and other conditions such as fire or earth tremors and will respond to such events in their own fashion. If you have a small pet, make sure you have a good travel kennel and mark it clearly with your name and contact information. With a larger pet, consider using a muzzle so that if you are in close quarters, they won't panic and nip.

When under stress animals may behave in a variety of ways. Dogs may cower or try to hide as will cats. Birds may act out and seek safety. Rabbits and other small animals may crouch and hide. Try to keep them calm and away from windows or doors that may expose them to whatever event is occurring. When traveling with a large dog, do use some sort of seat restraint. This is common sense of any pet owner because in the event of an accident, dogs may become protective of injured owners and attack EMT's. At that point the animal may be shot by emergency personnel, which would only compound the tragedy.

So in review, plan ahead, have supplies, know where you are going and make sure your animal is not a cause for alarm. As in every situation, planning ahead is the key. People who stay behind or who defer safety because of their pets endanger the lives of everyone who has to come save them. Don't be that person.

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