The
Houston SPCA urges pet owners to prepare for disaster
The Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals is urging pet owners to prepare for disaster! Hurricane season
is here and Houston SPCA President Patricia Mercer says the best way to
protect your family is to have a plan in place before disaster strikes.
Photograph each pet and store these pictures with
other important documents in sealed/waterproof plastic bags. Make sure
that all animals are up-to-date on their vaccinations. All dogs and cats
should wear collars and identification tags with current information.
Mercer says, “It’s also a good idea to include the name and phone
number of a friend OUTSIDE the greater Houston area in case local phone
service is not functioning immediately following a disaster.” Dogs
should wear nylon or leather collars only. Never place tags on training
collars or choke chains. Cats should wear a break-a-way/safety collar.
The Houston SPCA also encourages families to pack a
portable pet disaster kit to include food, water, medication,
vaccination records and cleaning supplies. Make sure your pet has a safe
traveling carrier that has been labeled with your emergency contact
information. You should plan on enough supplies for at least two weeks.
Take your pet’s favorite toy or blanket with you to help minimize
their stress.
If you must evacuate, take your pet with you! If
conditions are unsafe for people, they are unsafe for pets. Pet owners
should identify an evacuation route and make temporary housing
arrangements before a storm hits. This often means finding a boarding
facility or animal shelter out of the evacuation area and in the area
where their family will be staying.
It is particularly important to plan for horses and
other farm animals. Their size, shelter and transportation needs make
planning crucial. Visit the Texas State Animal Resource Team’s website
at http://www.txsart.org for more information on disaster planning for
farm animals.
The Houston SPCA is active in disaster response as a
member of the Harris County Disaster Animal Management Task Force; a
multi-agency task force developed to assist residents of Houston/Harris
County with preparing their pets for disaster.
For more information on what you should do to help
keep your pets safe this hurricane season or on the Houston SPCA’s
response to disasters, visit our web site at www.houstonspca.org.
The Mission of the Houston SPCA is to promote
commitment to and respect for all animals and to free them from
suffering, abuse, and exploitation. For more than 84 years, the Houston
SPCA has been an open door, a safe haven and defender for all animals.
For more information call 713.869.SPCA or visit our web site at
www.houstonspca.org.
