Protecting Your Pets Before and During Hurricane Irene

You have enough water, food and batteries to last you through the weekend to keep your family prepared, but what should you do in advance of and during Hurricane Irene to protect your pets?

"Make sure you have enough dog food, pet food and cat food on hand," Avon Emergency Management Director James DiPace said. "Now's the time to have this stuff."

Avon-Canton Animal Control Officer Beverly LaPlume said to keep dogs inside during the storm. She also said to keep pets close by and comfort them because the storm could make them nervous and shake.

"With the wind and noise from the storm, the dogs are going to be spooked and they're going to run off," LaPlume said.

She said that often when dogs are left outside in yards with electric fences, if the power goes out, the dogs will sometimes run away.

There are no dogs at the Avon Canine Shelter right now, so there is room, if any dogs do get loose.

If your dog runs out, LaPlume said to always call the Avon Police Department dispatch at 860-409-4200. If it is safe enough for her to go out, she is on call.

The town of Avon has a useful guide about making emergency supply kits for pets and what to do during a hurricane on the Emergency Management Services page, along with many other hurricane tips.

Here are some of the highlights:

Pet Emergency Supply Kit

• Store at least three days worth of pet food in an airtight and waterproof container.
• Make sure you have water for your pets too.
• Have extra pet medication handy for emergencies and keep it in an airtight container.
• Gather cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors, antibiotic ointment, flea and tick prevention supplies, latex gloves, isopropyl alcohol and saline solutions in a container to make a pet first aid kit. Consult your vet to see what else is needed.
• Your pet should have a collar with a rabies tag and identification on at all times, particularly in a storm in case it runs off. Also have copies of your pet's registration information, extra leashes, adoption papers, vaccination documents and medical records in a plastic bag. Consider having your local vet embed an identification microchip in your pet.
• A crate or pet carrier should be easily accessible in case you need to evacuate.
• In the event your pet cannot go outside to go to the bathroom during the storm have a litter box available if necessary, as well as newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach.

Plan

• Have an evacuation plan and take your pets with you, if you can. Otherwise line up someone to take care of them in an emergency. If you are booking a hotel, check to see that pets are allowed, and consider taking you pet to a kennel or veterinary hospital nearby your local emergency center.
• Talk to friends, neighbors and relatives to see who is available to care for your pet if you are unable to and there is an emergency. Designate an meeting place to reconvene.
• Discuss emergency planning with your vet.
• Make a list of any contacts you need for your pets, particularly veterinarians.
• Stay informed about the storm by visiting www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY, or visiting your local media station.