Pets displaced by disaster need forever homes

Charleston, W.Va. — Some pets that were separated from their human families by the flooding this past June aren’t able to return home. Their owners were displaced by the disaster and can no longer care for them. These precious four-legged friends, now in area animal shelters, are eager to find new forever homes.

The rescue of pets lost during a disaster involves a coordinated effort between state and local government and animal response groups with support from FEMA and a national animal welfare organizations, such as the National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition. These and many other pet rescue groups came to West Virginia to aid displaced animals. Support has also come from businesses and individuals.

“In this event, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture was the primary point of contact that helped facilitate the establishment of three animal shelters,” said the department’s Threat Preparedness/Response Officer Roy McCallister. The department identified unmet needs and worked to get resources that met those needs, such as collapsible cages that it keeps on hand for emergencies.

To make room for the survivor animals, shelters needed help to move their pre-disaster populations out to other shelters. The Humane Society of the United States, for example, facilitated the transfer of the 62 animals that had been in the Nicholas County Animal Shelter to two shelters in upstate New York.

Thanks to the coordinated efforts of many organizations, the animals displaced in this disaster have been rescued and well cared for. Many have been reunited with their families. But the cats and dogs who can no longer go home need kind folks who can give them new forever homes.

At the Greenbrier County Humane Society and the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association combined, there are more than 30 dogs and 40 cats that were rescued and need homes. Animals at Greenbrier are available now. Those at Kanawha-Charleston become available on Saturday, July 23. One or more of them may be just right for your family!

To give a home to a disaster survivor pet, contact:

Greenbrier County Humane Society

151 Holliday Lane

Lewisburg, WV  24901

Phone: 304-645-4775

 

Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association

1248 Greenbrier St.

Charleston, WV 25311

Phone: 304-342-1576

 

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by visiting: www.DisasterAssistance.gov; the flood pages at www.WVflood.com; fema.gov/disaster/4273; twitter.com/femaregion3; and fema.gov/blog.

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Pets displaced by disaster need forever homes

Remember Pets When Planning For Emergencies

LINCROFT, N.J. – For many households, there is an extra element to account for when making plans for disasters – the family pet.

Pets are an important part of many households and their unique needs should be taken into account, as they are particularly vulnerable when a disaster strikes, particularly one that requires evacuation or relocation. They are unlikely to survive on their own if left behind, and if they do, they could run away and be difficult to find afterwards.

 “A pet needs the bare necessities during a disaster. These include food for a few days, one gallon per day of water, medical records and medication, and leash and collar,” explained Kathy Johnson, Director of the Bergen County Humane Society. Pets’ basic needs are similar to those of humans:

  • Water: A minimum of a week’s worth of water for each pet.
  • Food: A minimum of a week’s worth of food. Keep canned or dried food in airtight containers. Include a manual can opener. Food should be changed every six months.
  • Shelter: A pet may require a personal carrier or cage, which should be big enough for your pet to stand and move around in.

You can create a pet disaster kit with a first aid kit and pet first aid guide book, which can be bought at any pet store or online. Your pet’s medicine and medical records can be kept in the first aid kit and kept up to date. Other important documentation, such as adoption papers, vaccination records, feeding schedules, behavior issues and your veterinarian’s contact information, should also be kept in a waterproof bag or container.

Not all emergency shelters allow pets, so pet owners need to know what their other options are if they need to evacuate. Ask family and friends that live outside your area if they might be willing to take your pets until you return, or just to check on them if something happens when you are not home. A kennel or your veterinarian’s office could have the resources to board your pet if you have to evacuate.

Another option is hotels and motels that allow pets during emergencies. Some websites that have information on these hotels and motels are: BringFido.com, DogFriendly.com, DogInMySuitcase.com, Pet Friendly Hotels & Motels, PetsWelcome.com and TripsWithPets.com. Call ahead for a reservation as soon as the possibility of evacuation comes up.

Bring a few of your pet’s favorite toys and comfort items to help him stay calm and reduce stress. Have some sanitation items such as cat litter, litter box and scoop, trash bags, newspaper and paper towels. Also consider taking a picture of you with your pet. In case you get separated, you can show what your pet looks like. You will also have proof that it is your pet if he’s found.

Pets should have some form of identification on them. The simplest way is a regular collar tag, which should have the pet’s name, your name, address and phone number on it. A waterproof pouch containing identification information can be attached to the collar.

The other common identification method is a microchip implanted underneath the animal’s skin with all of its information on it. A veterinarian or an animal shelter can perform the procedure, but the chip also has to be registered. For confined animals, such as birds, reptiles and small mammals, identification should be kept on the cage.

Birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians require special care, especially during a disaster. Birds can be transported in a covered carrier and then moved to a regular cage. They should be kept in a quiet area. You will need a plant mister to keep the bird cool, a hot water bottle to heat the cage, materials to line the bottom of the cage, and necessary dietary supplements.  

Reptiles can be transported in a cloth sack, such as a pillowcase, or a regular carrier. Upon arrival, immediately transfer the reptile to a secure cage. If possible, have the reptile defecate before transporting by soaking it in a shallow water bath. Also, have a water bowl for soaking, spray bottle for misting, heating pad, appropriate handling supplies, extra bags and newspapers, and dietary supplements.

Fish and amphibians can be transported in watertight plastic bags or ventilated plastic containers. Terrestrial or semi-aquatic amphibians only require a small amount of water. Moistened paper towels, clean foam rubber, or even moss will suffice. Fish and aquatic amphibians need plenty of water. The bag should be at least one-third full, then inflated with air and closed. Using water from your pets’ normal living space will probably reduce physiologic stress. It is recommended to monitor the water, temperature, humidity, lighting, and nutrition while your pet is at the shelter.

All of these animals should be kept away from heavy traffic areas, loud noises, and vibrations. All carriers should be escape-proof. Birds need to be fed and given water on a daily basis. Feed your fish, reptile or amphibian on its regular schedule if you can.

For more information on preparedness for your pets, visit www.ready.gov.

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http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4086/updates/sandy-one-year-later

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

 The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications

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Remember Pets When Planning For Emergencies

FEMA Urges Vermonters To Remember Pets In Disaster Plans

WILLISTON, Vt. – You’ve made an emergency plan and set up a phone tree for your family members to call during a disaster. You’ve even put together a disaster kit with water, food, a flashlight and portable radio.

But have you planned for what you’ll do with your dog or cat if a flood or other disaster strikes?

September is National Preparedness Month, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency is urging people to remember their pets as they make plans to cope with an emergency.

“For many of us, a pet is a beloved family member,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Mark Landry, the head of FEMA’s Vermont operations. “As you are taking steps to ensure your family’s safety, don’t forget that emergencies affect animals as well.”

Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as assembling an animal emergency supply kit and developing a pet care buddy system, are the same for any emergency.

Whether you stay put in an emergency or evacuate to a safer location, you will need to make plans in advance for your pets but bear in mind that what’s best for you is usually what’s best for your animals.

“Vermont has the highest rate of pet ownership in the nation at over 70 percent,” said Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer James McPherson. “That means most Vermonters need to think about their needs as well the needs of other family members.”

While many emergency shelters will not permit pets inside, officials still advise against leaving them behind if you are forced to evacuate, instead urging people to make alternative arrangements.

“If you evacuate your home, you should bring your pets with you,” Landry said. “Pets will find it difficult to survive alone, and even if they do you may not be able to locate them when you return.”

Pet owners should keep a photograph of themselves with their pet both to establish ownership and assist in efforts to locate the pet, and may wish to consider having a microchip implanted in their animal to make identification easier. A collar with a Global Positioning System (GPS) device can also assist in locating a pet after a disaster.

For more information, check out: www.ready.gov/caring-animals

“Preparing Makes Sense for Pet Owners” Video- (closed captioning & ASL)

http://youtu.be/aUbSF_S20bE

Follow us: @Readygov

Email us: ready@fema.gov or citizencorps@dhs.gov

Order publications: call 1-800-BE-READY, 1-888-SE-LISTO, and TTY 1-800-462-7585

Monthly Preparedness text messages: Text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA) to receive monthly

preparedness tips. (msg/data rates apply)

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders and to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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FEMA Urges Vermonters To Remember Pets In Disaster Plans

Creating A Disaster Preparedness Plan? Don’t Forget Your Pet

LINCROFT, N.J. — Family disaster preparedness plans are a good thing to have in place. But many such plans often overlook important loved ones – the family pet.

Whether you decide to stay home or evacuate to a safer location, advance plans for pets are essential to keeping the family unit intact. Plan how you will evacuate and where you will go.

Public shelters may not allow pets. Perhaps family or friends may be willing to take in you and your pets in an emergency. Other options may include a hotel or motel, a boarding facility, such as a kennel or veterinary hospital. It’s important to determine your options before an emergency happens.

The steps below can help keep animals safe and a loving part of the family if disaster strikes:

  • Find shelter for your pet – Never evacuate without the family pets because they rarely survive on their own. Make sure there is a predetermined place the family and pets can go in the case of an evacuation because not all shelters allow pets.  If you plan early enough, some pet shelters will make reservations for pets.
  • Develop a buddy system – Plan with neighbors, friends or relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so.
  • Create a pet emergency kit – Along with an emergency preparedness kit for your household, it is also a good idea to create one for your pets. Some items to include are:
    • A pet first-aid kit with all pet medications
    • Enough food to last up to a week, stored in an airtight, waterproof container
    • At least three days of water specifically for the pets
    • Toys to occupy pets
    • A collar with ID tag, harness or leash
    • Important documents such as copies of registration information, adoption papers, vaccination documents and medical records in a clean plastic bag or waterproof container
    • A crate or other pet carrier
    • Sanitation supplies, which may include litter and litter box, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household cleaner
    • A picture of you and your pet together in case of a possible separation during an emergency – you may need help in identifying your pet

For more information on how to taking care of pets in an emergency, visit the animal care page on www.ready.gov. The site also provides tips about caring for large animals and how to care for pets during and following a disaster.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. 

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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Creating A Disaster Preparedness Plan? Don’t Forget Your Pet

New Jerseyans Should Include Pets in Their Preparedness Plan

TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency encourages New Jerseyans to include their pets as they update their emergency plans.

For millions of animal owners, pets are important members of the household. The likelihood that you and your animals will survive an emergency such as a fire, flood, tornado or terrorist attack could depend on emergency planning done today. Knowing what supplies to have available, how to evacuate with your pets, where your pets will stay and how you will meet your pets’ needs throughout the disaster are all critical questions to address.

All pet owners are urged to keep a pet emergency supply kit, which should include at least a three-day supply of food in an airtight, waterproof container, drinking water, bowls for the food and water, current photos of you and your pets together, physical descriptions of each pet, medication, vaccination records and first aid pet supplies. Also include a leash and a pet carrier that can double as a sleeping area. You should consider comfort items for your pets as well, such as their favorite toys and blankets.

Make a back-up emergency plan in case you can’t care for your animals yourself. Develop a buddy system with neighbors, friends and relatives to make sure someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so. Talk with your pet care buddy about your evacuation plans and show them where you keep your pets’ emergency supply kit. Also designate specific locations, one in your immediate neighborhood and another farther away, where you will meet your buddy in an emergency.

Evacuating pets may be more difficult if you cannot evacuate in your own vehicle. Pet owners must understand their community’s evacuation plans and ensure they are prepared for any variations and restrictions. If officials call for an evacuation, you should be aware that many evacuation shelters do not accept pets and you must plan where you’ll shelter your pets in advance. Many hotels, motels, campsites and other facilities around the country now allow pets. For information on pet-friendly accommodations in your area, visit ready.gov/caring-animals.

For more information on emergency preparedness, visit the NJOEM website at state.nj.us/njoem, Ready.gov or Listo.gov or call the toll-free numbers 1-800-BE-READY, TTY 1-800-462-7585 and     1-888-SE-LISTO. You can also text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA) and sign up to receive monthly disaster safety tips on your mobile phone.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

 

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema,

and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. 

 

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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New Jerseyans Should Include Pets in Their Preparedness Plan