DO YOU HAVE A PLAN FOR YOUR PETS?

 

The single most important thing you can do to protect your pet is to take them with you. Here are seven things to prepare you in an event of a major disaster, including a checklist.

 

Bloomingdale Animal Hospital provides comprehensive veterinary care for your pets. We are conveniently located at the corner of Bloomingdale Avenue and Lithia Pinecrest Road, offering easy access for our clients in the Brandon, Bloomingdale, Valrico, Lithia, Riverview and FishHawk area. Centrally located with ample on site parking and a staff of dedicated professionals, assuring your pet's good health has never been easier.

 

Call us today (813) 681-6612 and schedule your appointment.

1. CREATE A WRITTEN PLAN

Schedule a household meeting to discuss escape routes, location of supplies and who will be in charge of each animal in an evacuation situation. Pre-arrange evacuation destinations for you and your animals. Most shelters don't admit animals, so consider family, friends and nearby animal-friendly hotels. Write down emergency numbers, family work numbers and an out-of-area contact number. Keep this with your emergency supplies.

 

 

2. READY YOUR SUPPLIES

Have carriers for each animal, labeled in advance with the same name, address and emergency numbers. Carriers should be large enough for animals to stand up, lie down and turn around comfortably. Store your animal supplies in containers that can be easily carried, near or in the carriers. Apply pet rescue stickers on each entry to your home in case you are not home at time of crisis.

 

 

3. WHEN DISASTER THREATENS

Put your plan into action. Bring animals indoors. Secure pet doors. Make sure all animals are wearing visible up-to-date identification.

 

 

4. SHELTERING IN PLACE

Keep pets under your direct control or place animals in individual carriers. Stay with your animals to provide comfort and reassurance.

 

 

5. EVACUATING

Take your animals with you! Leave early, especially with horses. Load carriers into your vehicle and take your evacuation kit. Keep dogs securely leashed when out of carriers. Use a harness and leash on cats.

 

 

6. AFTER THE DISASTER

Inspect your home and yard for dangers before allowing your animals in. Walk dogs on a leash and let cats become re-oriented room by room. Be patient: confusion and abnormal behaviors are common.

 

 

7. BE PREPARED FOR EVERYDAY EMERGENCIES

• Have a neighbor or nearby friend keep a key to your house in the event you cannot get home to care for your pet.

 

• Provide this person with instructions and emergency contact numbers.

 

• Create an emergency kit and be sure they know where your supplies are kept.

 

• If the emergency involves an evacuation, make sure they would be willing to take your pet(s) and have access to collars, leashes and carriers. Plan ahead to meet in a pre-arranged location.