The Galveston County Daily News

While our pets hold a special place in our hearts, they often don’t hold a place in our disaster preparedness plans. Hurricane season is quickly approaching, and the best way to protect your family is to have a plan in place before disaster strikes. Here are a few suggestions:

• Photograph each animal and store these pictures with other important documents in sealed/waterproof plastic bags;

• Make sure all animals are up-to-date on their vaccinations with your veterinarian. Are they wearing their tags?;

• All dogs and cats should wear collars and identification tags with current information and be microchipped;

• It’s also a good idea to include the name and phone number of a friend outside your area in case local phone service isn’t functioning immediately following a disaster. We certainly found this to be true last year;

• Dogs should wear nylon or leather collars. Training collars or choke chains should not be worn full time or have the tags attached; and

• Cats should wear a break-a-way/safety collar and yes, they can wear their id tags.

Pack a portable pet disaster kit, which includes 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 one week. Take your pet’s favorite toy or blanket with you to help minimize their stress.

If you must evacuate, take your pet with you! Remember, if conditions are unsafe for people, they are unsafe for pets. Identify an evacuation route and make temporary housing arrangements before a storm hits. Remember, animals are part of the city plan and are allowed on all buses leaving the island.

On the island, we tend to forget it’s 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 Web site at www.txsart.org for information on disaster planning for farm animals.

The Galveston Island Humane Society is concerned about the welfare of all animals.

If you need more information, contact us at the shelter 409-740-1919 or visit our Web site, www.GalvestonHumane.org.

You can also visit our booth at the Hurricane Preparedness Town Hall Meeting on June 3. It’s important to be prepared.

Caroline Dorsett-Pate is executive director of the Galveston Island Humane Society.

KEEP A PET DISASTER KIT

Your pet disaster kit should include:

• Pet food and treats;

• Drinkable water in plastic bottles;

• Pet water bowl, food dish and can opener for canned food;

• Pet medications and medical records in a waterproof container;

• Sturdy leashes, harnesses or carriers so you can move your pets safely and they can’t escape (remember they could be scared and act differently than usual);

• Current photos of your pets in case you lose them;

• The name and phone number of your veterinarian;

• Pet beds and toys, if there is room; and

• All your pets should have an identification tag and collar, too.