Greetings! Welcome to the June edition of Dr. Pet Mom’s Delightful Pet Menagerie (DPM) Newsletter. Summer is the time for pets and their pet families to be outdoors. Summer is also the start of the hurricane season from June 1 to November 30. This edition is about Pet Preparedness Month in June. Learn how to keep all your family safe this summer. Enjoy!
Pet Preparedness Month
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) “predicts an 85% chance of an above-normal season, a 10% chance of a near-normal season and a 5% chance of a below-normal season” for Atlantic hurricanes in 2024.
The Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) want you to be prepared. Plan and take time to save the lives of those you care about.
The best advice from NOAA is to “prepare and plan in case you must go for three days without electricity, water service, access to a supermarket, or local services for several days.”
Emergency Plan for Pets
The Red Cross provides an outline for pets, farm animals, and livestock. At the top of the list is animal safety.
- Learn the safe places to take your pets. Check with motels and hotels in your area to ask if they take animals in an emergency. Call ahead to reserve a space if you think you may need to evacuate your home.
- Remember that Red Cross shelters only take service animals. Because of health and safety concerns, family pets are not allowed. Plan ahead and find alternative shelter for your pets.
- House your pets separately, even if they are used to living together. Moving your pets to a strange area can be stressful. Keep them calm and house them separately.
- Keep a list of phone numbers. Know which friends, relatives, boarding facilities, animal shelters or veterinarians can care for your animals in an emergency.
- Make sure your pet’s vaccination and health records are current. Microchip your pets, keep their identification info up to date, and secure their collars.
- Include your pets in your practice evacuation drills. Practice will keep your pets trained to enter and travel comfortably in their carriers.
Emergency Plan for Farm Animals
- Keep a map of your farm to show where the animals live. Include the buildings, structures, blocked areas, barriers, storage of hazardous materials, and electrical shut off areas.
- Plan to evacuate with your animals. Know the evacuation route and have vehicles and trailers to transport your farm animals. Remember to check that your destination has food, water, equipment and veterinary care.
- Review your emergency plan with any employees. Your staff should know where the supplies and all the animals are located. Keep identifying information for your animals and make sure your animals have the identification on them.
- Keep a stockpile of supplies. Stock up on rope, sandbags, plastic sheeting and plywood for windows. Bring extra food and water for livestock. Other supplies include extra fuels for tractors and vehicles, hand tools, a gas-powered generator and a fire extinguisher.
Your Personal Emergency Plan
While you’re outside having fun this summer, also keep your family and your pets safe.
Safety means creating a buddy system made up of family, friends, and neighbors. Safety also includes making sure there is someone in your buddy system who can take care or help you evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so.
Keep any emergency contact information handy. Include your local emergency management office, animal control office or animal shelter, and your local emergency veterinary clinic or hospital.
Know how to charge your phone during a power outage. If you lose power, you can still use many items to keep your phone charged. Your laptop, tablet, hand crank radio, or rechargeable flashlight or lantern can be a power source.
Your emergency plan for the farm should include:
- Insurance information and documentation of any coverage.
- Veterinary contact information.
- Current medical records for all the animals
- Food, water, medication for the animals.
- A plan to move your animals to higher ground in case of possible flooding.
- Sheltering your animals in a barn after you remove any debris, overhead power lines and uprooted trees.
- Keeping livestock in the pasture since confinement can limit their ability to protect themselves.
- Keeping your pet emergency kit checklist and pet first aid kit handy.
Closing Thoughts
I hope you plan lots of fun outdoors this summer. Keep your emergency pet plan and first aid kit handy. The weather can turn in a heartbeat and it’s best to be prepared. Wishing you a safe and happy summer!
Thanks for stopping by!
Dr. Pet Mom
“Perhaps the greatest gift an animal has to offer is a permanent reminder of who we really are.”
–Nick Trout
2024 Book Update
June is a here and I’m revising my projects for this summer season. I’m near completion editing my Dr. Pet Mom’s Delightful Pet Menagerie (DPM) Newsletter book. Next step is to send it off to my graphic designer to update the book cover. July looks like a great month to publish a book!!
Excellent information, Dr. Pet Mom…good things to know. Can’t wait to see your book! Hope You and Yours have a great summer!
Thanks for your comments, Lou! Summer time is fun time and a good time to be prepared. Yes, my book is on the way! Have a great summer as well!