Disaster Preparedness for Your Pets

Spay/Neuter | Healthcare for Cats | Healthcare for Dogs | Microchipping | Crating | Be your Pet's Best Friend | Is Your Pet a Visiting Pet? | Disaster Preparedness | Saying Goodbye

 

When it comes to disasters, residents of the Midwest will continue to see our share. Whether the threat is a tornado, flood or the ever-looming menace of an earthquake on the New Madrid fault, it is our responsibility as pet owners to be prepared.

Tornado damge in Stockton

Check your pet's collar tags for current address and two phone numbers

Humane Society of Missouri rescuers went to Stockton, Missouri, in May of 2003 to assist victims reclaim their lost pets. "We routinely encountered lost pets wandering without a collar and tags," says Tim Rickey, statewide investigator for the rescues and investigations department. "Besides your home phone and address, it's important to have an alternate phone number included on the collar," explains Rickey. "When we found pets with phone numbers on their tags, we learned that the tornado had obliterated their entire house, phone and all." The second number can be your mobile phone, that of a friend or relative who lives in another town or your work number if you have voice mail. Just ask yourself how someone would reach you if your home phone (or, as in the case of Stockton, all of the phones in town) were disconnected.

Shown with some of the animals they helped, the Stockton rescue team consisted of (clockwise from upper right) Allen Miller, Christine Horton, Melanie King, Tim Rickey, Carmen Skelly, Kyle Held and Curt Ransom. Not pictured: Debbie Hill.

Have your pet microchipped.
Microchipping - a permanent form of identification - is available from our Veterinary Medical Centers by appointment. Phone (314) 951-1534 for our veterinary medical center in St. Louis. Phone (314) 951-1590 for our County veterinary medical center in Maryland Heights. Once your pet is microchipped, please keep our adoption centers current on any changes to your address and phone number.

Inspect your pet's collar. Does it need to be replaced? Keep a portable home ready to transport. Pet supply stores stock collapsible crates, collapsible canvas dog kennels and collapsible doghouses. Don't forget Kitty's carrier.

A Stockton resident is reunited with his lost Beagle.

Create a disaster kit for your pet.
Store the contents in a sturdy, Rubbermaid-type trash can on wheels with a tight-fitting lid. Contents should include:

• A favorite toy
• Extra leashes and collars with tags
• Pet food (canned or in sealed pails)
• Manual can opener
• Plastic bowls
• Bottled water
• Towels
• Litter box, litter and scoop
• Current photos of pets
• Extra medications
• Copy of medical records
• Copy of rabies registration
• A list of emergency veterinarians and their phone numbers (Store photos and paperwork in a zip-type plastic bag. Secure to inside lid with waterproof tape.)
• A first aid kit for pets and "Pet First Aid" book printed by the Humane Society of the United States and the American Red Cross (both available at the Humane Society of Missouri Gift Shop)

Pet First Aid Classes Pet First Aid classes are offered by the St. Louis chapter of the American Red Cross. Phone (314) 516-2738 for information on the next class near you. We all hope that you never have to use your pet's disaster kit, but be prepared. Your best friends are counting on you.

The rescuers' camp site.