It's important to recognize that pets are our friends and family and should be kept safe and healthy as any other being. June is known as Pet Preparedness Month, spreading awareness about the importance of keeping them safe no matter what happens. In a time where everything is unexpected, the last thing you want is to lose your little bud.
Rather than bracing yourself to lose them, ensure proper preparation of how you will protect and look for them. No matter what your dog or cat's breed or size, it's imperative to have a disaster plan for them.
Here's a little guide on what every pet owner should do this Pet Preparedness Month:
1) Find a Safe Place for Your Pet
You may have a plan in place to get yourself to safety, but have you thought about your pet? It's important that you have a safe place to go to with your pets. This isn't a place where you'll go just to run away with them, but it's a place that's only reserved for when things go downhill. In a nutshell, it's a safe house for emergencies.
2) Provide an Animal Disaster Preparedness Kit
In the event of a crisis, you must ensure that your pet has the essentials to survive during this period. Don't rely on food to be supplied once you reach your safe place. Your animal disaster preparedness kit should have a week's worth of supplies for your pet, including food and water. A first aid kit for your pup or kitten would also be ideal.
3) Stock up on Food as Much as Possible
As mentioned above, food is always running short in crisis periods. It's key to keep your supply of food fixed, especially for your pet. Your pet is much more reliant on protein, calcium, and carbohydrates than you are. If you don't have enough food for them, their bodies will break down, affecting other physiological functions.
4) Keep Your Pets Vaccinated
Do your pets have the proper vaccinations? This is a significant check to make if you're going to protect them during a disaster. The last thing you want is an outbreak in your area, especially if your dog or cat has never been vaccinated. If they had been vaccinated, there's little to no chance of them being infected.
5) Have a Standard Procedure to Keep Pets Safe
Pet owners should not be caught off guard when a disaster suddenly hits their area. Whether you're alone or with your pet, you need to create a standard procedure for your dog or cat. This will depend on the disaster itself, but you need to know how you're going to react when the unexpected happens.
6) Know What to Do if Your Pet Gets Lost
It's a very common concern that your pet will run away or get lost in the event of a disaster. The best way to mitigate such a sudden turn of events is to have a leash at hand. This will minimize the risks of separation and make it quite easy for you to spot your pet and call it back home. You should also create a basic ID tag for your pet's collar.
Conclusion
It's truly best to have a plan on how you're going to keep your pet safe as well. A disaster preparedness kit is always a good idea, whether you're in a disaster-stricken area or just living your normal life.
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