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Prepare Your Pets for Emergencies
If recent events have taught Americans anything, it's the
importance of preparing their entire families - including
their pets - for emergencies.
"It's important to consider your pets in your emergency
plans," said Warren Eckstein, an animal expert and
nationally syndicated radio host. "Pets rely on their owners
for food, water, and shelter. Remembering your pets in your
emergency plans can help minimize their stress and increase
their odds of survival in an emergency."
That's why the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Ready
Campaign has teamed up with several animal care
organizations, including the American Kennel Club and the
American Veterinary Medical Association, to educate pet
owners about the simple steps they can take to prepare their
animals for emergencies.
Together they have produced a new emergency preparedness
brochure for pet owners that is now available on the Ready
Campaign Web site at
www.ready.gov or by calling 1-800-BE-READY.
The new brochure highlights three key steps pet owners
should take to prepare themselves and their animals:
* Prepare: Get an emergency supply kit including food,
water, medicines and medical records, collar with ID tag, a
leash or harness, and a recent picture of the pet with its
owner.
* Plan: Create an emergency plan by learning which shelters
in the area and/or along the evacuation route will allow
pets in the event of an emergency. Also, plan with
neighbors, friends or relatives to develop a buddy system to
make certain that someone is available to care for or
evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so.
* Stay Informed: Know about different types of emergencies
that are likely to affect your region, as well as emergency
plans that have been established by your state and local
government.
According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers
Association, 63 percent of U.S. households have a pet. The
likelihood that these Americans and their animals will
survive an emergency depends on the individual's emergency
planning done today.
"Ready is a national public service advertising campaign
designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and
respond to emergencies," said Kristin Gossel, Director of
Homeland Security's Ready Campaign. "We are pleased to
introduce this new brochure that reminds Americans to take
special considerations for their pets when making their
emergency preparedness plans."
For more information about emergency preparedness, visit
www.ready.gov , or call
1-800-BE-READY.
(SPM Wire)
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