Hurricane preparation plans for pet owners

Hurricane season is here. Though there’s no storm looming in the Gulf, it’s a great time to review or create an evacuation plan and refurbish last year’s pet evacuation kit.

The following tips from the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine and the Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART) are invaluable for pet owners intending to evacuate as well as those who plan to ride out storms.

Elements of a Pet Evacuation Plan:
Determination. Resolve to do whatever is necessary to evacuate with your pet. While leaving a car-anxious animal at home may be tempting, you may not be able to return quickly. The safest place for your pet is with you.
Confirmation. If you are staying with friends or family, make sure your pets are invited long before you arrive on the doorstep. If not, ask for recommendations of nearby veterinary or boarding kennels and make reservations in advance.
Destination. If you are going to a hotel, call ahead and make sure animals are welcome. Many hotels relax their policies during times of crisis, but don’t assume that this will be the case. For online information about pet-friendly hotels, visit petswelcom.com or pets-allowed-hotels.com.
Information. Pet owners with special needs or without transportation can receive evacuation assistance in a disaster. All they need to do is contact their parish emergency managers (such as the parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness) to register. For a list of parish emergency preparedness offices and contacts, click here.

Also, remember: If your pet requires medical care, the LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital on Skip Bertman Drive is open 24-7 and even during disasters such as hurricanes. For more information, visit vetmed.lsu.edu or call 578-9900.

For more updates on services available and pet owner evacuation instructions, visit lsart.org.

Evacuation Kit Contents*
• One-week supply of pet food
• Food bowl
• Water bowl
• Bottled water
• Leash
• Collar
• Cat litter box and litter
• Guinea pig, gerbil or other rodent cage and shavings
• Trash bags for stool disposal
• Newspaper or towels for crate lining
• Heartworm preventative
• Flea and tick protection
• Two-week supply of medications
• An entire exotic pet habitat including heat lamps and extension cords
• Rabies tag
• Proof of vaccinations. Keep a copy of the current year’s annual exam records in your evacuation kit. That way you don’t have to scramble to get to the vet, when a disturbance threatens the Gulf.
• Portable kennel. Find a model large enough for the pet to stand and turn around. Collapsible wire crates are best if your pet might be in a non-air conditioned environment for a long time. Molded-plastic airline-approved crates make for easier transport pets who don’t travel well in the car.
• Identification. While current pictures that capture your pet’s identifying features are helpful, the best form of identification is a tattoo or microchip, which is a tiny permanent computer chip that is injected under your pet’s skin by a vet. By registering your name and address with the microchip company, your pet can be scanned and instantly identified at any shelter, vet or other animal facility.

At the very least, your pet should have a collar and tag with your name and your phone number. If communication lines are down in your region, your lost pet’s rescuer may stand a better chance of getting through to a relative or friend outside the disaster zone, so it’s best to add an out-of-area contact number as well.

* Species owned will determine which items are necessary.

Hurricane season coincides with kitten season, a time when many stray cats give birth and shelters become flooded with newborns. As usual, Cat Haven is working to stem the tide. So, the non-profit has a large selection of adoptable cats and kittens including:

Sela is a quiet one-year-old Himalayan mix, who was never spayed by her previous owner. When she became pregnant and had kittens, that owner took the whole feline family to the pound. Fortunately, Cat Haven was able to take them in. She does well with children and other cats.

Peter is a five-year-old large Snowshoe boy. He came to Cat Haven when his elderly owner could no longer keep him. This vocal and very friendly guy gets along well with kids of all ages. He tolerates other cats but has never been around dogs.

Lucky was rescued as a stray kitten with his littermates. They were taken in by a nice family, who could not keep us due to illness. This beautiful mackerel tabby does very well with other cats and would be fine in a home with older children.

Baby was taken with her littermates to Animal Control when she was only three days old. Cat Haven took in the siblings and placed them in a foster home to be bottle-fed. This two-month-old gets along well with children and other kitties. With a proper introduction, she should do well with a cat-friendly dog.

Julius was found wandering stray in a neighborhood and brought to Animal Control. This medium-haired, one-year-old orange tabby is a sweet boy who gets along well with kids and other cats. He would probably tolerate dogs, too.

Sylvester’s mom gave birth to this tuxedo kitty and his siblings on someone’s front porch. Fortunately, the homeowner rescued them and brought the bunch to Cat Haven. This friendly guy gets along well with kids and other cats.

These pets have all been vaccinated, spayed/neutered and FeLeuk/FIV tested. Many other adoptable cats and kittens are available at Cat Haven. Call the shelter to make an appointment at 636-2680.