Better Safe Than Sorry!

Get window clings and magnets to alert emergency personnel to the presence of your handicapped pet in your home or car at handicappedpets.com

Source: handicappedpets.com

Over 2,000 Pets Homeless after Italian Earthquake

Assistance has started to arrive for 2,000+ cats and dogs left homeless by the recent earthquake in and around L'Aquila, Italy. Relief included medical supplies, materials to build kennels and microchip readers.

Many pets and farm animals are believed to have died in houses and barns that collapsed during the quake. Those that survived are showing signs of trauma, rescue officials said. Many sheep and other farm animals were abandoned and will probably starve if they cannot be reached. Late Wednesday evening in L'Aquila, a Yorkshire Terrier walked in circles, ignoring a policeman's offer of a sandwich. "I see a lot of these poor dogs," said the policeman. "You can tell they are domestic pets because they are healthy and well-fed, but they look lost and frightened."

Source: ap

Find Emergency Pet Assistance Fast!

Find an emergency vet anytime using an internet connection or smartphone with the locator feature at

http://www.vetlocator.com/hotline.php

The list of vets is not comprehensive, but if you need to find medical help fast -- for example, if you are traveling in an unfamiliar area -- this locator is a great help!

Below are additional Emergency Hotline Numbers. Keep these numbers handy -- You can: (1) bookmark this blog entry to your laptop or mobile phone for quick reference; or (2) use the green "ShareThis" button below this entry to send the entire entry via email or Instant Message or post to a social network.

• National hotline for reporting lost pets - 1 800 Humane-1 (486-2631).
  Please note that these operators are not on-site at the shelters but will be taking reports.
  
  
• ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center - 1-888-426-4435
  (A consultation fee may be charged).
  
  
• 1-888-4ANI-HELP or 1-888-426-4435 ($50.00 per case).
  The charge is billed to caller's credit card only. Follow-up calls can be made for no additional charge by dialing 1-888-299-2973. There is no charge when the call involves a product covered by the Animal Product Safety Service.
  
  
• Animal Poison Hotline - a joint service provided by North Shore Animal League America (NSAL) and PROSAR International Animal Poison Center (IAPC).
  1-888-232-8870 ($35.00 per incident). The charge is billed to caller's credit card only. Staffed 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.

Credit: vetlocator.com

The "TogetherTag"

Dogster and Catster, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, have launched a new pet ID tag system which they recommend to supplement microchipping of your pet. The tag details and enrollment are available at http://www.togethertag.com

Easy Online Enrollment - A one-time fee of $24.95 covers your cat or dog for life. Simply add profile information to activate your account. Special discount for families with 3 or more pets. Your profile information can be updated online as often as needed.

Cool, Disaster-Proof Tags - The service features stylish, reflective tags, which are lab-tested under extreme conditions.

Shelter & Community Alerts - Targeted alerts to over 5,000 shelters and 1 million pet lovers are dispatched as soon as you report your pet as missing.

Credit: www.togethertag.com

Know Your Pet's Rights in a Disaster!

Following the tragic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, President Bush signed into law H.R. 3858, the "Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006" which amended the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. This law ensures that State and local emergency preparedness operational plans address the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster or emergency.

The full text is here: http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stusfd2006pl109_308.htm

Credit: wikifido.com

Care for Your Pet in A Disaster

1. Know where you are going to take your dogs: Identify a pre-arranged safe location for your pets outside of your community, for example with a friend in another city.

2. Know how you’re going to get there: Here’s where timing is important. If disaster occurs, whether it’s by fire or flood, the longer you wait the more roads could be blocked and your options could be limited.

3. Emergency kit: Remember your dog’s needs while putting together your family’s emergency kit! Be prepared to care for your pet for at least 72 hours, and include items such as:

* food (especially if your dog has special dietary needs)
* water
* dishes
* any medication your dog needs
* a copy of your dog’s vaccination records, and
* current photographs of your dog (be sure to show any identifying marks).

After the Storm

When the most immediate danger is past, get your dog back into its familiar routine as soon as possible. Also, try to focus on keeping your dog calm and quiet. This can be difficult when you’re in the midst of highly emotional settings, but it’s important because your dog will pick up cues from you, the leader of the house.

If You and Your Dog are Separated

Rule #1: The more identification you have for your pet, the more likely you are to get it back.

* Put an alternative emergency contact and phone number on your dog’s ID, preferably for someone outside of your hometown.
* Get your dog microchipped
* Keep a picture with you that shows both you and your dog. This acts as another proof of ownership should you get separated.

Credit: wikifido.com