Emergency Preparedness For Felines!
November 27, 2009 by
Filed under Cat Care
Many people have learned how to prepare their family for a disaster. Some people have even made sure that they have a disaster readiness kit. But as the New Orleans’ Disaster showed after Katrina, few remembered to prepare for their pets. Cats are resourceful if left behind but the trauma can mean they never return home or are never the same pet that you once enjoyed.
Cats left out in disasters that are cold based can actually die of hypothermia. Although your cat may have a furry coat, cold weather can still be extremely dangerous. Imagine how you feel after being out on a cold day for more than a few minutes-even with your winter coat, you are probably still very cold Cats are the same way, and if you leave your pet exposed to the cold for too long, he or she may show signs of hypothermia. In a worst-case scenario, hypothermia leads to death.
If you cannot evacuate your cat then make sure your cat cannot get outside in any way. Your pet may not be able to figure out how to get back inside, and by the time you return and find your beloved missing, hypothermia could have taken hold.
Some ways to be prepared include the following.
1. Get your cat used to wearing a collar. Make sure all the information for your pet is on the collar in case he manages to escape your grip or get out before the disaster strikes. When cats are confused, they often run. It is in their nature to do so. If you are hurriedly loading your car, it is easy for them to slip out the door and run.
2. If you are evacuating, lock the cat in a small room such as a bathroom until you are actually ready to leave or crate it so it has time to settle before you load it in the car. If you have locked your cat in is carrier or crate occasionally for short periods of time prior, it will be used to being crated and while it may not like it, it will not be as frightened as it would be to suddenly be snatched and shoved into a new environment. Pets can sense their owners stress levels so in natural disaster, they are already picking up on the owner’s stress, making sure the cage is familiar will help a great deal.
3. A cat carrier that is well ventilated is a necessity, and if the evacuation will be more than a few hours long, you’ll also need to carry food, water, and litter box for your cat. Pets that are not used to riding in cars may get sick, so talk to your vet about ways to prevent this. You can also cover the carrier with blankets to provide a bit of extra security for a stressed-out kitty when you’re in heavy, loud traffic or construction areas.
4. What ever you do, do not leave your pet behind if you can find it. Not only will this permanently change your pet if you can reunite with it, it can stress children or elderly during the evacuation with constant worries as to the pet’s well being.
5. Create a kit that you can grab and go in case of an emergency. Of course, it should be with your own preparedness kits!
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