Are You Ready for An Emergency?

 For those who lived in Santa Clarita during the Northridge earthquake, there are some things we won’t tolerate. I will never be able to hang art over my bed without thinking about it hitting me during an earthquake. I will never look at a pool without thinking it would also be a good source of bathing water if the water main broke.
Emergencies can be an enormous challenge or a small nuisance, but regardless it is always wise to consider how we would handle them, especially with pets in our lives.
Pets are not allowed in public emergency shelters, including those run by the American Red Cross.  You must make other arrangements so that leaving your pets at home can be avoided.
Put together a disaster supply kit packed in a waterproof container for your pets. The container should have three days to a week’s worth of food and water, medications, veterinary records, leashes or harnesses, a current photo of your pets for identification purposes, paper towels, litter pan and litter if you have a cat, sealable plastic bags, and an extra leash and collar.
If you need to evacuate, bring your pets with you even if you think you’ll only be gone for a few hours; the severity of a disaster can change quickly and you may not be allowed to go back to your home to get them.
Do not wait for a mandatory evacuation order. If you delay leaving until emergency officials insist upon it, you may be told to leave your pets behind in a formal evacuation.
Unfortunately, there are times when no matter how solid your plans are, the specifics of the emergency dictate that your pets must remain at home.  Leave a two- or three-day supply of dry food. If possible, open a faucet slightly and let the water drip into a big container. Large dogs may be able to obtain fresh water from a partially filled bathtub.  Leave the pets in the safest room in the house, such as a bathroom.
Please call Copper Hill Animal Clinic at 661-296-8848 to schedule an appointment.