"The truth is...no one really knows for sure. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and weigh the risk of preparation with the risk of non-preparation... "
---George Grindley    (State Rep. District 35  Marietta, Georgia)


What are your emergency plans for your pets if you needed to use a public shelter during an emergency?  If you needed to would you drop them off with a neighbor or friend who would be able to act as a pet sitter? Would you have someone look in on them daily?  Would you leave extra supplies of fresh water and food for them? Would they need to be left in a separate area of the house due to any particular behaviors they have when separated from you  for too long?

In the case of a Y2k  or other disruption, have you stored a prudent amount of food  and water for your pet? If your pet needs any regular medications, have you discussed with your vet whether it would be possible to have extra doses on hand to ride out any disruptions in the supply chain?

Seniors and pets: The Red Cross has found that its emergency shelters have traditionally been utilized by many seniors. Emergency shelters generally will not admit pets. What contingency plans have you made for your pet's care if you should need to go to a shelter due to Y2k disruptions or weather emergencies, or if an accident or illness means that you must leave home suddenly? Make sure a friend or neighbor knows your plans for your pet, and knows who would have a key to your home for emergency access if necessary to help your pet. If you have a Vial of Life (this is a container available from the Red Cross to keep in the refrigerator with all your vital medical information), perhaps you could keep written instructions there.

Children and pets:  What would happen to your pet if your family was faced with an emergency situation where you had to leave your home? Make sure that you have discussed the contingency plans for your pets with your children. You know that you  have to talk about this with them when discussing any emergency evacuation such as a fire, and you know that the welfare of their pets is terribly important to them.

Humane society emergency preparedness plans for pets
http://emergency.marin.org/humsociety.htm     
Disaster plans for both small pets and large barnyard animals. Well thought out site.

More emergency  plans
http://www.best.com/~slewis/HHPCC/happenings/julaug95/disaster.html
A shorter list of suggestions.

Y2k and your fish tank
http://www.y2kculture.com/arts/19990123.fish.html
              Those of you whose first thought is "tartar sauce" upon reading this, behave yourselves!

First aid videos for your pets
http://www.firstaidforpets.com/index.html
No, this does not teach your dog how to do CPR on you, and  obviously will not be useful unless you watch it long before there are problems.

In the event of a prolonged power failure for any reason, people may be more willing to abandon their pets, feeling that they might fare better on the streets. It's a problem that is bad enough in good times, and in difficult times could become quite dangerous.  If the idea of packs of hungry feral dogs is a bit too "Mad Max" for you to accept, read "Buckshot's" articles for some  real-life experiences others have had facing  feral dog packs (Heloise's handy hint: take out both the alpha and the beta dogs if you need to, not just the alpha).