In The News: Recent Happenings
ALERT: Earthquake Zone Pet Parents July 29th 2008
If your cat is missing after an earthquake, don’t panic.
Earlier today, Southern Californians were hit by a 5.4 magnitude earthquake. SPCA International encourages all pet parents in earthquake zones to read the important pet information and preparedness tips below.
After an Earthquake Strikes
If you must evacuate your home:
∙ Evacuate with your animal. If you are unable to locate your animal quickly and easily, leave food and water in a place where they will find it. Locate a Disaster Response Team for animals and notify them that you were unable to evacuate with your animal so they can go in, when it is safe, to retrieve your animal. Do Not try to enter an unsafe building to rescue your animal yourself.
∙ Grab your disaster kits, as long as it is safe and easy to get to.
If you are able to stay in your home:
∙ Check all fences to make sure none have been damaged or fallen down before letting your dog into the yard.
∙ If your cat is missing, don’t panic. Cats tend to find a hiding space if they are scared and will remain there until they feel it is safe to emerge. Be sure to leave plenty of fresh water and food out for the cat in case it leaves its hiding spot at night when things are quieter.
Be prepared for the next earthquake in your area by following these vital preparedness tips:
∙ Prepare a disaster kit for your animals that contains food, water and medication to last 72 hours.
∙ Keep the disaster kit in an easy to reach location and rotate food and water every 3 months to ensure freshness.
∙ Take current pictures of your animal and be sure to include several pictures with you in them. If your animal is groomed on a regular basis, take photos of them both groomed and un-groomed so you can identify the animal if it hasn’t been to the groomers before the disaster strikes. Be sure to update your pictures as your animals grow.
∙ Ask your Veterinarian for an updated list of your animals shot records to include in your disaster kit. Keep the list updated.
∙ Talk to your Veterinarian about their disaster plan in case you need to provide medical care for your animal immediately after the earthquake. If they do not have a disaster plan, find a Veterinarian that does.
∙ Make a plan for where you will go with your animal until it was safe to return to your home.
