Archive for January, 2008
You find out who your friends really are when a disaster hits. And nobody is more loyal to you than your pets. They always happily greet you when you come home, even when you’ve been gone only five minutes!
I have some friends who wouldn’t dream of ever putting their pets in a kennel to go on a trip. They will not go anywhere where their pets wouldn’t be accepted. And heaven forbid that if a disaster was looming that they would have to place their beloved ones in an animal shelter along with all other types of breeds? No way. They would rather go down with their animals. Also, they may not be welcome inside a shelter should a hurricane or other disaster force her to evacuate. Because of public health and safety reasons, pets may not be allowed in people shelters. All the more important to make advance preparations for their safety in an emergency.
I’ve advised them to get radios, flashlights, food, water, medical supplies and pet carriers to help provide the creature comforts through an emergency. But instead of running all over town at the last minute and compete with everybody else trying to do the same thing, one stop shopping from the experts is better. Remember, people can go days without food, but not without water. So it’s advisable to keep an ample supply of emergency water rations in your pantry and car in the event of any kind of emergency.
Did you ever buy something you never use? We’ve all done that. BUT, there are some things you buy and hope you never have to use. And when you use it, you are very glad you made the investment. Some examples: Health Insurance. The premiums are out of pocket and you remain healthy. You go for years without ever getting sick. What else could you have done with that money. After all, you never had to go to the doctor. Or take a membership in the AAA auto club. You pay the annual dues just in case you break down or have a flat tire. Just one emergency call reimburses you for the premium. Well, here’s another good investment…..not for everybody unless you’re a hiker or camper or extreme skier going into remote places. With some bravado, you might think…..”I’ll never get lost” or”that happens to other people.” Or, you might be driving somewhere with your family and take the wrong turn and run out of gas. And worse….bad weather!
Well, here’s a good investment that you may also never use. But it could save you and yours your lives. The Spot Satellite Messenger is a handheld personal tracker whose main purpose is to bail you out of trouble. It taps into a Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite to determine your whereabouts. Just press a button and it will transmit your location and a preprogramed e-mail message to emergency 911 authorities and/or your loved ones. And it works where cell phones don’t. No matter where you go or what you do……….Be Prepared!
Witness the heroic efforts to save Hurricane Katrina’s animal victims on NATURE’s KATRINA’S ANIMAL RESCUE.
His name was Thunder. He was just a puppy when Katrina’s 100-mile-per-hour winds and 20-foot-high storm tides slammed into New Orleans, turning the city into a ghost town. Greta Joseph, Thunder’s owner, had fled to safety before the storm hit. She couldn’t take Thunder along, so she left food and water, assuming she’d be back soon. I’m not sure if animal survival preparedness kits were readily available at that time.
The days turned to weeks as officials struggled to reopen the city. By the time Joseph was able to return, it was nearly too late. As NATURE’s KATRINA’S ANIMAL RESCUE shows, Thunder was starving, dehydrated, covered with sores, and near death. In anguish, Joseph rushed him to a makeshift animal hospital. Veterinarian Deborah Campbell struggled to save the dog’s life.
Experts are calling it the largest animal rescue operation in history. When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, Louisiana, the city’s human residents weren’t the only ones trying to cope with flooded and devastated homes. More than 250,000 pets — from cats and dogs to parrots and fish — were left stranded by the storm’s destruction. Owners, expecting to return a few days later, left food and water for their pets. But days turned into weeks, and pets had to struggle to survive without supplies or the love and care of their owners.
Yes, this was maybe a worse case scenario for pets. But, many times it doesn’t have to be. If you truly love your pets, don’t wait until the last minute and just put out food and water. Many other things can be done in advance. Read my other blogs for more information on pet care and emergency pet survival kits.
”Just in case I’m not with you should the unthinkable happen Honeybunch, keep this in your car just in case. I want you to be safe until I get home.” What a nice thought for Valentine’s day. If you live alone or your partner is away a lot, you may be in a spot if an unexpected disaster pops up and they suddenly have to get out. This one-person car/office survival kit makes a great gift anytime for your significant other if and when you are ever apart and they have to evacuate alone. This kit is becoming increasingly popular among consumers. It’s standard for office or personal use. You can keep it in the trunk of your car… if you’ve got to take off, you know it’s already right there with you, thanks to one thoughtful person. And you can remember back when you got it along with the romantic dinner and wine.
Planning for unexpected events seem like kind of an oxy-moron but in today’s environment it is essential. Disasters small and too large to wrap your brain around the key to survival and recovery is having a plan.
Survival kits are a must for every family but if you have family pets you may want to plan on a survival plan for them as well. A three-day survival kit will go pretty fast if you are sharing it with your golden retriever.
Read the rest of this entry »
The Hurricane season is approaching and a good time to review all aspects of your hurricane plan, including what to do with the family pet. And if your plan doesn’t include provisions for Fido or Snowball, it might be time to revise it.
Well before the approach of a storm, pet owners should prepare a pet disaster supply kit. It should include needed supplies for your pet, as well as vital information, such as proper identification and immunization records and a current photo of your animal. Pet disaster supply kits should also include plenty of food and water, a carrier or cage, medications, a muzzle, collar and leash. If you have a cat, include a litter box and fresh litter in your supply kit.
Other evacuation options for pet owners include boarding the animal with a veterinary clinic or animal shelter, as well as asking friends or relatives out of the path of the storm to look after the animal. Owners should make these arrangements well in advance of the storm. And be sure to include your own family survival kits.
Just before a storm approaches, pet owners should attach their name and evacuation address onto the pet’s collar. This can help someone return the pet to its proper owner, should the animal become lost during or after the storm. Having a microchip implanted into the pet may also help owners locate the lost animal.
Owners who have no choice but to leave their pets at home should make sure the animal is left indoors and loose with plenty of food and water. Leave the toilet bowl cover up and never leave a pet chained outside. Place a notice outside your house advising what pets are inside and provide contact information where you can be located.
We hope everybody stays safe and healthy in 2008!!
Every year the same thing, hurricane watches and warnings. Every year I tell myself the same thing, “Not one storm has ever hit where I live”. Every year I don’t listen to myself. But as soon as the “watch” comes on the screen we are off to store to buy flashlights, batteries, food supplies, water and on and on. And they end up gathering dust because the storm never comes. I have to admit in the last couple of years, we have eased the tension by ordering a pizza. How bad can it be if the Pizza guy will come. Can’t be too bad. Right? But by in large, it can still happen.
This year I’m not going to panic. I’m sick of wasting my life worrying about something I have no control over. I’m going to get prepared ahead of time. I’ll get a 72-hour emergency survival kit for my family of four and our two pets. That way, I’ll just have to dust them off if they have been sitting as they have a long shelf life. At least I’ll be acting responsibly by being prepared.
A blogger friend!
Are you ready for a disaster? Most of us are not.
We might think that it won’t happen to us. We might have it on our to-do list. Being prepared is essential. Being prepared for the unknown will not only help you survive but minimize devastating consequences if you are not.
Think of all the wildfires, ice storms, floods, and hurricane’s you have seen on the news in just the last year. People without power for days, even weeks. Grocery stores closed, roads cut off, people on their own without assistance from the outside world.
Ask yourself if you are ready for a major emergency now so you don’t have to face the unpleasant life of an emergency without supplies.
Why do fire departments insist on every home having smoke detectors? Because this early warning system saves lives. And that is why Emergency Preparedness for many situations should be everyone’s responsibility. And you never know when or where a disaster may strike. Did you know that most people are not ready with Emergency Preparedness Kits? Nor do they have a disaster recovery plan in place. Disaster Recovery Supply is dedicated to help you get started with information and products to assist you in making the right decisions in the event of an emergency. For you and your loved ones, including your pets and animals. Take the first step NOW with our 72-hour emergency preparedness kit for disaster. And then add to it over a short period of time. It’s better to be five years early then five minutes too late. Be Prepared!!
The prospect of global warming is a hotly debated political subject. But one thing is for sure…..satellite photographs over a period of time don’t lie. Just a one degree rise in ocean temperatures can increase the probability of increased storms. The last couple of years have been relatively quiet. And the old adage “all’s quiet before the storm” may very well ring true. That’s why you need to have reliable disaster emergency supplies that you can count on during a time of emergency when stores will be closed and roads unavailable.
Nowadays, emergency preparedness should be at the top of everybody’s list of things to do. But don’t waste your time and money making your own survival kits. Disaster Recovery Supply is your one source for pre-packaged survival kits that contain the most reliable emergency food, water, shelter, sanitation, lighting, communication, and search & rescue supplies available. And be sure to work with your friends and neighbors as well in being prepared in advance for any type emergency. Remember, it’s better to be five years early than five minutes too late.