| With hurricane season upon us and evacuations sure | | | | and travel crate. Gather the items on your list grab |
| to be ordered, I thought it would be a great idea to | | | | your pet and follow the evacuation orders of your |
| discuss dog evacuation preparedness. What should | | | | local government. |
| you do to prepare for an emergency that | | | | During hurricane Rita, I saw people stranded along |
| necessitates an evacuation with your dog? The first | | | | side the road, out of gas and in need of help. |
| thing you should do is to put an ID on your pet. A | | | | Remember that you are the best source of help for |
| collar and vet tag is the easiest but also consider a | | | | yourself and your dog. By being prepared, with a little |
| micro chip. These ID sources should include your dogs | | | | advanced preparedness, you can make an evacuation |
| name, your phone number and vet phone number. | | | | easy on you and your dog. It would be a good idea |
| Pet ID is a must and should be done when you first | | | | to include in your evacuation pack a list of phone |
| adopt your dog. | | | | numbers of dog shelters, rescue organizations, vets |
| In advance, you should prepare an evacuation pack. | | | | and veterinary hospitals in your local area and in |
| This pack should include such items as Vet | | | | surrounding towns and counties where you may have |
| information, Pet Insurance papers, vaccination | | | | to evacuate too. |
| records, pictures of your dog and a list of items to | | | | Remember that you are the pack leader and have to |
| bring. This information can be easily placed in a file | | | | do the thinking for you and your pet. The good news |
| folder and kept in your file cabinet. If you need to | | | | is that these simple precautions and procedures can |
| leave grab your evacuation pack and take out the list | | | | be used for all of your pets. In this case, just an |
| of items to bring. This list should at least include your | | | | ounce of precaution can prevent a ton of anxiety |
| dogs medicine, leash, food, water, bowls, chew toy | | | | and fear during such stressful times. |