The painful heart images of the four-legged sacrifices of Hurricane Katrina are too large for most of us. Fortunately, most people around the country have their loving companions next to them, while they follow the devastating news about dogs that have remained on guard for themselves and people who make choices about their pet or their own salvation. A disaster such as Hurricane Katrina is not a common occurrence, but it raises important questions about what you will do with your dog if an emergency occurs in your family and you are unable to return to your home. Some important facts should be borne in mind:
o Is your dog a microchip? Most shelters have a scanning device that can read a microchip that fits under your dog's skin. The microchip carries important identifying information for your dog and can be provided in many shelter and veterinarian offices for a nominal fee in seconds.
o Make sure your dog has a collar with updated identification tags. This is an easy way to contact you if your dog is found.
o Find out where lost dogs are in your area. Some cities have a central location where dogs are placed for the first 24-48 hours before they are moved to the Shelters area. Save time by doing a little research right now!
o You have a sign in your window so that emergency personnel know that there is a pet in your house that needs to be rescued.
o Appoint a designated person (s) to register your pet in the event of an emergency. Give them a list of reputable resorts in case they can't take your dog to their home.
o Where are your local veterinary clinics? You do not want to scramble this information when your dog needs immediate help.
o Is your dog updated with vaccination? If your dog is in hiding, in a boarding house, or is lost on the street, you want to make sure that he is protected from diseases that he could not endanger in your home.
o Where can you go with your dog if you have to leave your home unexpectedly? Keep a list of dog friendly hotels so you know where you can go if you can't stay in your house.
o Bring familiar items to your dog. If possible, take your favorite toy or dog bed with familiar fragrances that can reduce anxiety in a stressful situation.
o Never Understand the Power of the Internet! Email a photo of your dog to yourself or a friend so that you have a photo available for publication in case of separation. You can send an image to local shelters and sites such as Craigslist.com or Petfinder.com.
A little preliminary planning on your part can make the difference between a happy reunion or heartache for you and your dog. Although we all pray that we never need to use this information, having it in your hand as a quick reference can lead to some peace of mind in an emergency.
