Gainesville Florida Veterinary News Alert.

What to do in an Emergency

Emergency Evacuation Checklist-Plan Ahead!

Preparation can take the panic out of an emergency situation. Prepare an Evacuation Kit for your animals now - before disaster strikes.

· Food - Store at least a one-week supply for each animal. Rotate your stock every three months. Keep a spoon, can opener and spare food bowl.

· Water - Store at least a one-week supply for each animal. Rotate your supply every two months. Keep a spare water bowl in the kit. Collapsible water bowls take up little space.

· Identification - Keep a collar and tag on each animal; microchipping is best because it's permanent. Keep a current photo of each animal in your kit, with yourself in the picture to prove ownership.

· Medications/First Aid - Prepare a basic first aid kit and buy a small first aid book. Include at least one week of any needed maintenance medications. Prepare a collar tag with medical conditions/needs. See www.avma.org/disaster for sources.

· Cleaning Supplies - Keep small plastic bottles of dish soap and disinfectant, paper towels, and small plastic litter bags.

· Restraints - You will need harnesses, extra leashes, a collapsible crate or kennel, a tie-out stake or cable run kit, and blankets or towels. See www.uan.org/ears.

SEEKING SHELTER - Where will you go?

· Find out NOW what hotels/motels allow pets in the event of disaster. Locate a safe place out of the danger zone. This could be as far away as 50 or 60 miles, depending on the disaster. Keep the phone number and address of the hotels in your disaster kit.

· Keep in mind, major highways could be closed. Include a detailed road map of your area. Line up a friend or relative outside your geographic area to provide shelter for you and your animals.

· Boarding facilities outside your area might take in your animals. Animal shelters may agree to take your pets, but they could become overburdened with abandoned animals very quickly. Rescue groups or foster homes are a possibility. Research now and take maps and phone numbers with you!

When the warning comes, load your emergency supplies first. Put each animal into his own crate and load into the car. The best of buddies may become aggressive in a crisis. Do not leave your animals behind!

See www.redcross.org for more Disaster Services suggestions.

Cat in a Tree Rescue

What do you do when your cat is stuck in a tree? Get information and find a professional tree climber willing to help! Call (425)-806-3845 or visit www.catinatreerescue.com