Should I set up pet insurance and guardianship?
Proper pet care can be expensive. Ask your vet about Pet Insurance.
Start a savings account for your pet.
When life challenges you with change, make sure you have appointed a Pet Guardian.
Keep pets out of shelters. Keep them in the loving arms of a Family.
What should I do if I must leave my pets behind during disasters?
The Red Cross shelters do not accept pets. Prepare a list of backup arrangements such as homes of friends and family, hotels that allow pets, boarding facilities, veterinarians and/or shelters.
Secure all bird cages and aquariums. These items may move and/or break during a disaster. Secure them on low stands or tables. Tighten the latch on your birdcage so that the door cannot be shaken open easily.
It is generally not recommended that you leave your pet behind during an evacuation. If you must, follow these guidelines to help ensure your pet’s safety.
- Post a highly visible sign in a window to let rescue workers know how many pets were left behind.
- Leave plenty of water in a large open container that cannot be tipped over.
- Leave plenty of food in timed feeders (check local pet supply stores). These will prevent your pet from overeating.
- Do not tie or cage your pet! The chances for survival are greater if he/she can escape easily.
Should I prepare a pet care disaster kit?
A prepared disaster kit, kept in a safe and easily accessible place, will enable you to provide immediate care to your pet in an emergency. A calm, well trained pet, who is either on a leash, or in a carrier, will be more welcome wherever you go.
- Sturdy crate or pet carrier
- Identification tag and collar
- Leash
- Food and water – 7-day supply for each pet
- Non-spill bowls
- Litter box and litter
- Any special medications
- Manual can opener and plastic lid
- Pet’s vaccination history
- Recent photos of each pet
- Pet First-Aid book
- Pet First-Aid Kit
- Phone number of a local emergency veterinary hospital
- Phone number of your local animal shelter
- Long-term confinement equipment: chains, cable-runs, tie out stakes, portable caging
- Large plastic bags for pet cleanup
- Emergency phone number
What should I do to prepare my pet for a disaster?
The Red Cross has pet safety and disaster information online here.
You can call our shelter after hours and hear a list of important numbers including local police and the local dog warden at (814)677-4040.
- Keep your pet’s license current.
- Make sure that collar and identification tags are worn at all times.
- Consider having a safe, permanent microchip implanted in your pet. This type of ID cannot fall off or be removed. Most veterinarians offer micochipping services to their customers.
- Train your pet to enter their carrier or crate at your command. Try putting your pet’s favorite treat in their carrier and sounding a bell at the same time. Repeat this process every day until your pet comes running at the sound of the bell. Continue this routine often enough to keep it fresh in your pet’s mind. This training will be extremely helpful when locating a frightened animal.
- Train your pet to be comfortable with being handled.
- Have your neighbors get to know your pets. Keep an updated list of their home and work phone numbers (remember to update these frequently).
- Select a Pet Guardian who will be ready to assist should a disaster occur when you are not at home. Make sure this person spends much of their time at home, or that they work within walking distance of your neighborhood.
- Select one or two backup Pet Guardians in case the primary person is not available.
What should be in a pet first aid kit?
A pet first aid kit should include these items:
- large and small bandages
- scissors
- tweezers
- cotton swabs
- antibiotic ointment
- hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting or clean deep wounds)
- elastic tape
- eye wash (saline)
- ear-cleaning solutions
- K-Y Jelly (water soluble)
- any special medications prescribed by your veterinarian
What should I do if my pet is suddenly experiencing physical or behavioral changes?
This could mean a change in their health that requires special treatment and the assistance of a veterinarian!
When should I take my pet to the vet?
Pets need scheduled vet visits.
Build a relationship with your vet. Be prepared for when an illness or mishap occurs. Prevention is the best course of action! Keep your pets up to date on vaccinations and flea/tick prevention. Puppy or kitty proof your home and yard.
Proper veterinary care includes:
- Schedule yearly wellness checks and vaccinations
- Follow all instructions for medications
- Keep your vet’s regular and emergency phone numbers programmed into your phone in case of emergencies
What should I do if I’ve lost my pet?
Don’t give up, some animals are found months after being lost!
Tips for finding your pet:
Check your neighborhood.
- Walk around your neighborhood as you call your pet.
- Carry some food to lure your pet out from a hiding place.
- Carry your pet’s leash – you don’t want to be unprepared!
- Ask everyone if they have seen your pet. Carry a recent pet photo. Make sure that everyone knows your pet is missing. A small reward will motivate people to search.
- Drive around your neighborhood at night.
- Create a social media post about your lost pet.
- Make a poster about your missing pet.
- Buy a newspaper ad to let people know that you’ve lost your pet.
Check the Animal Shelters
- We recommend you check for your pet by coming to the shelter. (Lost reports will not be taken over the phone.) Bring with you a detailed description of your pet and/or a picture for identification.
- Contact other animal shelters and services in your area.
We sincerely wish you a happy ending to your story.
How should I groom my pet?
Buy grooming tools and practice regular grooming at home or with a professional.
How should I feed my pet?
Some things to consider when feeding your pet:
- Buy rustproof dishes
- Clean dishes twice a day
- Keep dishes accessible to pets, not household traffic
- Schedule mealtimes with consistent portions; this minimizes your pet’s anxiety and encourages housebreaking.
- Check the bag of your feed for guidance on portions according to age and weight.
- Keep fresh water available at all times.
- Use treats in moderation for behavior modification and training.
What is toxic to my pet?
Did you know that cats and dogs are allergic to chocolate and dairy products?
This article can teach you more about which foods are toxic to cats: https://www.webmd.com/pets/cats/top-10-cat-poisons
Check this article out for more details about what is toxic to dogs: https://www.webmd.com/pets/dogs/ss/slideshow-foods-your-dog-should-never-eat
Should I give my pet toys?
You should maintain a variety of toys.
Toys provide extra exercise and entertainment for you and your pet.
Best friends start here.