In conjunction with the recommendations of the American Kennel Club, the Lehigh Valley Kennel Club has formed a Disaster Planning Committee. This is an extensive undertaking we hope we will never need. Disaster can include anything from a fire to earthquake, tornadoes, and floods - any time a pet owner is asked to evacuate his premises for a period of time that would leave their pets in peril needing rescue and relief. Our efforts are to assist the local humane societies and the Federal Emergency Management Agency as needed. We will be working in cooperation with the Allentown Dog Training Club in order to provide more complete service.
When disaster strikes, the American Humane Association takes responsibility for sheltering dogs owned by evacuees admitted to American Red Cross shelters. Dogs are either transported to AHA facilities or boarded in temporary structures. Many pets are simply left behind in the rush to evacuate. Many times evacuees are told they will only be gone a few hours, when the reality could be several days. Disaster with no advance warning results in pets with no food or water left available for them, needing medical attention or lost.
How do we plan to help?
- Assist with the procurement, distribution and/or storage of food, pharmaceuticals and basic supplies.
- Extended shelters: provide private housing, motor homes, vans or help in locating the availability of public buildings.
- Media involvement: newspaper, televisions, & radio stations.
- Networking with the "Buddy System"
- Assist with the physical searches for missing pets, as well as creating flyers and advertising
- Supplies such as blankets, collars, leads, crates
- Visiting with boarded or secured pets and updating the owners of their well being.
- Be available to help transport pets as needed
Please take a few minutes to print and fill out the Buddy Sheet. We encourage you to send copies to several friends, neighbors or relatives, particularly those living out of the immediate area. A copy may also be filed with the police department and local and regional animal shelters. The goal is to assure that dogs will not be neglected or abandoned if the owner is unable to administer care.
What Can You Do To Protect
Your Own Pets
What can you do to protect your own pets? Fill out the Buddy
Sheet. Practice evacuation drills that include your pets. Do you
have collars & leads near ALL doors? In the case of tornadoes &
high winds, will your pets go the basement steps? Do you have a crate
in the basement for your pet's safety, fresh water, extra blankets, food,
collar and lead? Does you dog hide when he hears the smoke alarm or will
he calmly go with you? The next time it rains and you don't go to training,
try an evacuation drill with your family. Get copies of your pet's vaccinations,
license and current photo into one folder or envelope. If you must evacuate,
take the folder with you.
Does your dog have a Canine Good Citizen certificate? Dogs who have been officially commended for good behavior and manners are much more likely to be accepted at motels/hotels if disaster necessitates evacuation. Since CGC's must meet all state & local requirements for inoculation certificates and licensing, these dogs will also qualify immediately for kennel or animal hospital boarding. The Canine Good Citizen is trained not to panic, run away, bark or show aggression when exposed to distracting conditions. Demonstrating such control may make the CGC dog eligible to remain with his owner in an evacuation area. The crate-trained dog is also at an advantage when disaster strikes, He too is more likely to be accepted at boarding facilities, motels or in a helper's home. He will adapt to transport more easily, but if home confinement is necessary the familiar crate will provide comfort and security. Encourage you friends, neighbors and families to the importance of obedience training and crate training as part of disaster planning.
One of the most sobering realities of disaster is the resulting escalation in the number of strays. Some dogs run away in fright, others are abandoned by destitute owners. Disreputable individuals quickly take advantage of post-disaster bedlam, and increased thievery of pets is not uncommon. Protect your dogs with proper identification, tattooing or microchip implantation. Have pictures of your dog available if needed. Don't forget the dog that gets groomed in various styles. Have a picture of all his "looks". (Keep a picture of your dog in your glove compartment if traveling or going to dog shows. Should he get loose, this picture would be needed for lost dog flyers)
Additional Links For More
Disaster Information
AAHA: When Disaster
Strikes
The
American Red Cross: Pets and Disaster
FEMA: Animals and Emergencies
