June is National Pet Preparedness Month
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2012
Contact: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Director of Communications
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Office: 503.535.3381
Cell: 503.880.8881
June is National Pet Preparedness Month
DoveLewis Reminds Owners: Plan Now, Before Crisis Hits
PORTLAND, Ore.— June is National Pet Preparedness Month, and DoveLewis wants to remind pet owners: a little extra time spent planning and gathering supplies may make a very big difference in how you and your pets weather a disaster. From heavy snows, to a house fire, flooding, or even an earthquake, DoveLewis urges pet owners to plan ahead.
“If the worst happens, you may not be in a frame of mind to think clearly or have the luxury of time to plot out decisions,” said DoveLewis veterinary technician Marilee Muzatko, CVT, VTS (ECC). “Knowing that you have a practiced plan in place and ample supplies at hand puts you in a better position to focus primarily on your wellbeing and keep your pet calm and safe.”
Preparation tips for before a disaster strikes:
- Be informed— research services available in your area
- Discuss plans for rescue or potential evacuation
- Identify a family meeting spot
- Identify your animal and keep all contact information current
- Organize and copy medical records, including a current photo of your pet
- Talk to neighbors about joint planning and reciprocal support
- Prepare and post rescue instructions in your home
- Learn basic pet first aid (free workshops are offered at DoveLewis, sign up here)
- Practice your plan with family, neighbors and pets
- Practice kenneling/crating your pets
- Keep your car’s gas tank close to full and keep emergency cash on hand
- Keep rescue and evacuation kits stocked and easily accessible
In case evacuation becomes necessary, you should have a kit prepared for your pets. For a quick reference guide to Pet First Aid & Disaster Preparedness, including a suggested pet evacuation kit list, please visit dovelewis.org.
####
DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital, established in 1973 and based in Portland, Ore., is the only nonprofit, 24-Hour Emergency and Intensive Care Unit in the region. DoveLewis provides donor-funded programs to the community including one of the United States’ largest volunteer-based animal blood banks, a nationally recognized pet loss support program, 24-hour stabilizing care for lost, stray and wild animals and financial assistance for qualifying low-income families and abused animals. For more information, please visit dovelewis.org.