Pet Care
Hurricane Season Begins June 1 - Pets Need Protection, Too!
By
May 21, 2008 - 1:15:08 PM

Home Again Reminds Pet Owners That Permanent Identification & Enrollment Helps Ensure Pets Can Be Reunited If Lost In the Storm

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - KENILWORTH, N.J., May 21 -- Tens of thousands of domestic and wild animals perished from drowning, starvation, disease, and misfortune, while many others were separated from the people who love them as a result of Hurricane Katrina alone, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

Simple Way to Help Reunite Pets

Cat and dog owners can help protect their pets by visiting their veterinarian before hurricane season gets underway for a simple and inexpensive procedure to implant a microchip and register their pet in a national, secure recovery database such as the HomeAgain Proactive Pet Recovery Network.

Even the most conscientious pet owners can, during times of natural disasters, become separated from their pets. Even pets described by their owners as "indoor-only" are vulnerable. According to a 2006 Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association study by Linda Lord, DVM, PhD, assistant professor, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 41 percent of people looking for a lost cat reported their cats as "indoor only" pets. As another hurricane season begins, pet owners are reminded of the importance of permanent identification through microchipping and enrollment. Planning ahead and having pets microchipped and registered now could potentially save many lives and reduce the burden on animal welfare first responders and overcrowding pressure on local animal shelters.

Tips for Pet Owners

The Humane Society of the United States provides suggestions for pet owners including preparing a pet disaster kit, which should include:

* Food and water for at least five days for each pet, bowls and a manual
can opener if you are packing canned pet food.

* Medications and medical records stored in a waterproof container and a
first aid kit. A pet first aid book is also good to include.

* Cat litter box, litter, garbage bags to collect all pets' waste, and
litter scoop.

* Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and carriers to transport pets safely and
to ensure that your pets can't escape. Carriers should be large enough
for the animal to stand comfortably, turn around and lie down. Your
pet may have to stay in the carrier for hours at a time while you are
away from home. Be sure to have a secure cage with no loose objects
inside it to accommodate smaller pets. These may require blankets or
towels for bedding and warmth, and other special items.

* Current photos and descriptions of your pets to help others identify
them in case you and your pets become separated and to prove that they
are yours.

* Pet beds and toys, if you can easily take them, to reduce stress.

* Information about your pets' feeding schedules, medical conditions,
behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in
case you have to board your pets or place them in foster care.

Other useful items include newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags, grooming items and household bleach. More disaster preparedness information can be found at hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/resources/disaster_preparedness_for_p ets.html. (If URL does not hyperlink please copy and paste into browser).

What is Home Again

Home Again is a national and comprehensive pet recovery service that goes beyond microchipping. Home Again members benefit from world-class pet recovery services and other services designed to keep pets safe and well, including:

* Live Pet Recovery Specialists always available at 1-888-HomeAgain

* Lost Pet Alerts sent to veterinary clinics, shelters and PetRescuers

* 24/7 Emergency Medical Telephone Assistance

* Medical Insurance for Lost Pets, offered by PetFirst Healthcare

* A convenient pet ID card with the pet's and veterinarian's key contact
information.

Web site: http://www.homeagain.com/
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