IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO GET HOME TO YOUR PET

Some emergencies may prevent you from returning home. In planning for such emergencies:

• Identify a trusted friend, neighbor or dog-walker to care for your pet in your absence. This person should have a set of your house keys, be familiar with your home and pet, know of your emergency plan, and have your contact information.
• Put stickers on the main entrance of your home to alert rescue workers to the number of pets inside.
• Update the information on these stickers every six months. Free Alert Stickers can be ordered from the ASPCA.
• Keep your pets’ collars/harnesses and a Go Bag, in a place where they can be easily found.

LEAVING YOUR PET AT HOME

If you have no choice but to leave your pet[s] at home

• Never leave your pet outside during an emergency, or when there is reasonable expectancy of an emergency.
• Leave at least a three-day supply of food and water where they can get it; consider using a large capacity self-feeder and water dispenser.
• Consult your vet to develop a plan for your pet[s] needs
• Secure all doors and windows so your frightened pet[s] cannot escape from your home.
• Place a Rescue Alert sticker on the main entrance to alert Rescue workers that there are pets inside.

PET GO-BAG CHECKLIST

• A current color photo of you and your pet[s] together.
• Copies of medical records that indicate dates of vaccinations and a list of medications that you give your pet[s] and why.
• Proof of Identification and Ownership, including copies of registration information, adoption papers, proof of purchase and microchip information [in NYC you can get this at our Puppy Paradise Location
• Physical description of your pet[s] including his/her species, breed, age, sex, color, distinguishing traits, and any other vital information about their characteristics and behavior.
• Animal first-aid kit, including flea and tick treatment and other items recommended by your veterinarian.
• Food water and dishes for at least three days.
• Collapsible cage or carrier.
• Proguard Muzzle and leash.
• Cotton sheet to place over the carrier to help keep your pet[s] calm.
• Comforting toys or treats.
• Litter, litter pan and scoop.
• Plastic bags for clean-up.

EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT

• Include pet supplies in your own Emergency Supply Kit - the set of supplies you need to survive in your own home - for at least three days.
• Pet Food. If you ever use wet food, make sure you have pop-up cans or a manual can opener on hand. Rotate food and water items every six months to avoid expiration.
• Water. Dehydration is a serious health risk to animals. Check with your vet to see how much water your pet needs on a daily basis.
• Plastic bags, newspapers, containers, and cleaning supplies for dealing with your pet.

PROPER IDENTIFICATION

Dogs and cats should wear a collar and harness, rabies tag, and identification tag at all times. Identification tags should include your name, address and phone number and also the phone number of an emergency contact. Dogs should also wear a license.

Talk to your vet, call 311 [or whatever the information number is in your location] about micro-chipping your pet[s]. A properly registered microchip enables positive identification if you and your pet are separated.[Get this done at our NYC Proguard/Puppy Paradise Location].

TIPS FOR HANDLING SMALL ANIMALS DURING EMERGENCIES

BIRDS:

• Transport birds in small secure carriers.
• Try to minimize temperature changes. Use a spray bottle for misting in hot weather and a hot water bottle for warming in cold weather.
• Try to minimize severe changes in noise and cover the cage to keep your bird[s] calm.

AMPHIBIANS/REPTILES:

• Transport amphibians in a water tight plastic bag or plastic container with ventilation holes.
• Transport reptiles in a pillow case, cloth sack, or small carrier and transfer the pet into a secure cage as soon as you can.
• Use a spray bottle to keep the pets cool and a heating pad or battery-operated
heating lamp to keep them warm
• Try to minimize changes in temperature lighting and diet.
• Do not mix species.

OTHER SMALL ANIMALS

Small pets such as hamsters, gerbils, mice, rats and guinea pigs can be transported using a covered carrier, or secure box. To minimize stress, keep the carrier covered and attempt to minimize severe changes in temperature and noise.

MAKE A LIST OF EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Create a list of contacts before an emergency. Consider local and out-of-area resources. Keep a copy of this list by your phone.

• Local Veteranarian:
• Alternate Veterinarian:
• Emergency pet Contact:
• Local Boarding Facility:
• Boarding Facility [30-90 miles from your home]:
• Pet Friendly Hotels/Motels[30-90 miles from your home]:
• Local Animal Shelters:
• Animal Care & Control of New York City: 311/TTY: 212-504-4115 [Get similar numbers for your City/Area].
• NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: 311/TTY: 212- 504-4115 [Get similar numbers for your City/Area].
• Humane Society Of New York: 212-752-4842 [Get similar numbers for your City/Area].
• NYC American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals [ASPCA]: 212-876-7700. Get similar numbers for your City/Area].