How prepared are you? A little, a lot, gone overboard, never crossed your mind? North Carolina is no stranger to hurricanes so that will be my focus today.
Here are some things to think about: the internet and tv may go down; power may go out; rain may cause floods; wind may cause damage; evacuations may be ordered. Everyone is under a lot of stress scrambling to get what they need to survive and protect their belongings.
Make a plan for your pet ahead of time: decide where they will go, how they will get there, what supplies and records you will take, and know what you can do to help keep them calm.
Prepare an emergency kit for each animal. Take water, food, can opener, carriers or crates, litter box and litter, puppy pads, plastic bags, pickup bags, medicine, medical records, leash, collar, harness, pet photo, ID tags. Suggestion: take paper records and a photo. While you may have excellent records and pictures on your smartphone, you may not be able to access them. Store paper reports in a waterproof container (zip lock bags are handy) and take them with you. You may also scan records and photos to a file and email the file to a friend or family member who lives in a safe area.
Before the bad weather approaches, bring your pets inside. Keep them safe. You don’t want to search for a terrified pet that has escaped from the yard.
Stay calm – your pets are sensitive to your feelings. You can help them stay relaxed by packing their favorite blanket or toy, bringing a long-lasting chew toy, spraying Feliway (cats) or Adaptil (dogs) on bedding or towels that can be put into their carriers or crates.
If your pet is not familiar with going into carriers or crates – teach them to love them. Leave them up in the house, toss treats in them, feed them next to them and gradually move the food inside. If they have to spend time confined in one, they will be more comfortable if they have a good association with them.
Stay tuned in to the weather reports and, if you have to leave – don’t dilly dally. You are your pet’s best guardian so plan to take them with you.
Good luck and stay safe.
For Fear Free professional pet sitting and dog walking, contact Jeanne Crockett, owner of Crockett’s Critter Care.
Happy Pet! Happy Home!
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As the owner of Crockett’s Critter Care, I want you to know that you can reach out to me directly with any question, compliment, or concern you have about the care of your pet.