Article From SubmitYOURArticle.com: How to Help Pets During Disasters

In recent years, we've seen many disasters wreak
havoc in different parts of the world: the
tsunami in Thailand, Hurricane Katrina in
Louisiana, and the earthquake in Haiti, just to
name a few. As pet lovers, our hearts do
double-duty, going out to both the people
involved as well as their displaced pets. Now
that the Gulf Coast is once again in the midst of
a disaster due to the BP oil spill, we can't help
but wonder how to help the people and pets in the
area.

We've pulled together some useful information
about how to help pets during this tragic oil
spill - as well as how to help pets during any
type of disaster and what you can do if a
disaster strikes where you live.

Help for Pets Affected by the Oil Spill

Local animal shelters in the Gulf region are
flooded with dogs and cats that have been given
up. Animal Rescue New Orleans has received many
calls from families who have lost their jobs due
to the spill. Other shelters have doubled and
even tripled their intake of pets whose families
had to decide that they could no longer afford to
care for them.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
has stepped in to do what it can to help out and
has already transferred many surrendered dogs to
their headquarters in Gaithersberg, Maryland.
These dogs have been picked up by local shelters
and groups for adoption.

HSUS has also made strides to assist families in
keeping their pets. 12 tons of dog and cat food
have been delivered to the Gulf area to be
distributed to residents who have been directly
affected by the spill.

There are many ways to make a contribution toward
both the pets that have lost their homes and
those in danger of being surrendered:

- The dogs that HSUS transported back to Maryland
are available for adoption through the Loudon
County Animal Shelter, Lost Dog and Cat Rescue
Foundation, and the SPCA of Anne Arundel County.

- Animal Rescue of New Orleans has a Pet
Retention Program, where a $25/month donation can
help ease the financial burden of caring for a
pet so that families can keep them, rather than
give them up.

- Make a donation, volunteer, or even adopt a pet
from St. Bernard's Parish and Plaquemines Animal
Welfare Society - just two of the many shelters
who have seen a dramatic rise in surrendered pets.

- The Deepwater Horizon Response has information
on volunteering to help wildlife in the area.

Help for Pets Affected by Any Disaster

There are many organizations geared toward
helping pets that are in need at any time. In
the throes of a disaster, their response units
mobilize and do whatever they can to help. Here
are a few that are always grateful for volunteers
and financial support:

1. Humane Society of the United States (HSUS):
They've already been helping with the oil spill
effort and they have their own special National
Disaster Animal Response Team (NDART™).
NDART™ is made up of animal care
professionals and other qualified volunteers and
takes applications for new team members.
Donations can also be made here.

2. PAWS: This nonprofit organization specializes
in rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife,
as well as sheltering and adopting homeless pets
in Washington State. They also assist in
disasters that happen locally. Volunteers and
foster homes are needed in the Lynwood,
Washington area and donations to the organization
can be made here.

3. ASPCA: I don't doubt that you've seen their
heart-wrenching commercials advertising the fact
that there are so many pets out there who need
help. The ASPCA also devotes their efforts for
pets that are victims of natural disasters. You
can help keep their natural disaster team in
action and support the ASPCA as a whole by
becoming a member or making a donation.

How to Keep Your Pets Safe During Disasters

You never know if your family will be facing a
hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake, or any
other type of disaster. Not only should you have
a disaster plan for you and your family members,
you should also have one in place for your pets.
Here are a few tips to help you be prepared:

- Keep a collar and tag on your dogs and cats at
all times. During a disaster an animal can escape
and a collar and tag increases your chances of
getting your beloved pet back. The tag should
include your phone number and address (and maybe
even your email address). If you have been
evacuated and are going to be living away from
home for an extended period of time, have a
temporary tag made with the phone number of where
you are staying. Email may also be a good form
of communication for you while you are not
staying at home.

- Identify several possible locations outside of
your area where you can take your animals should
you have to evacuate such as boarding kennels,
veterinary clinics with boarding space, and
friends and other family members. Look for
hotels/motels that accept animals. Red Cross
evacuation shelters do not allow animals, so be
sure you have somewhere else to go with your pets.

- Set up a system with your trusted neighbors, so
that they will check on your animals during a
disaster in case you aren't home (and do the same
for them). Swap information about your pets'
veterinarians and have a permission slip put in
your file at the vet, authorizing your neighbor
to get necessary emergency treatment for your
animal in the event that you can't be reached.

- Prepare a pet evacuation/disaster kit that
includes food, water, and everything your pet
needs to survive and be as comfortable as
possible until the danger has passed. Keep all
of the items stored in a sturdy, waterproof
carrier, that's easy to carry. Your kit should be
readily accessible so that it can be retrieved
quickly.

Visit our website for the full list of what your
pet disaster kit should contain and other
pertinent disaster preparedness information.

Disasters often strike when you're least
expecting it. Pets are very much a part of the
family and are also victims of disaster. There
are many ways to help, including volunteering and
donations - but don't forget about keeping your
own family and pets safe by being prepared so
that you are able to help others in distress.

----------------------------------------------------
Kim Salerno is the President & Founder of
TRIPSwithPETS.com. She founded the pet travel
site in 2003 and is an expert in the field of pet
travel. Kim is a veteran of the travel industry -
formerly serving as Director of Internet
Marketing for Certified Vacations. Her mission is
to ensure that pets are welcome, happy,and safe
in their travels. Visit her company website at
http://www.tripswithpets.com

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