ASPCA National Shelter Outreach Offers Assistance To Animal Shelters Affected By California Wildfires

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Thursday, 30 October 2003

Pet owners are reminded to take steps to prepare for disasters in advance.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' (ASPCA's) National Shelter Outreach department has been communicating with animal shelters and rescue groups in Southern California to assess their financial needs for their disaster relief efforts.

"We have found through experience that the shelters won't know the disaster relief costs until a few weeks into the clean-up efforts," comments Julie Morris, Senior Vice President of the ASPCA National Shelter Outreach department. "Most shelters have responded that they will contact the ASPCA once they are able to determine their level of financial need." The ASPCA has set up a disaster relief fund and animal shelters may request assistance by emailing outreach@aspca.org.

The ASPCA reminds pet owners to prepare for disasters in advance and offers the following tips to ensure the well-being of their companion animals:

RESCUE ALERT CARD: This easy to fill out card will alert people that pets are inside your home in the event there is an emergency. It must contain types and names of pets in your household, contact number for an alternate caretaker and other information, such as urgent medical needs. Contact the ASPCA at beprepared@aspca.org for an emergency pet sticker for your home or visit www.aspca.org/emergency to order a sticker online.

ARRANGE A SAFE HAVEN FOR YOUR PETS IN THE EVENT OF EVACUATION: Do not leave your pets behind. If you do so, they may be at risk for injury or even worse. Red Cross disaster shelters will not accept pets, so it is imperative that you have researched where to bring your pets ahead of time.

EMERGENCY SUPPLIES AND TRAVELING KIT: Keep an emergency kit handy for your pets. Your emergency kit should contain a pet first aid kit and book, pop-top food cans or dry food, disposable litter trays, litter or paper toweling, pet feeding dishes, extra leash, photocopies of medical records and a 2-week supply of any medicine your pet needs in a waterproof container, bottled water, a pet traveling bag or sturdy carrier, flash light, blanket and photos of your pets.

CHOOSE 'DESIGNATED CAREGIVERS': This step is something that should take considerable time and thought. You should make plans for a temporary home for your pets, until you can reach them in the event of an unexpected disaster. Also be sure to arrange for a permanent home for them if you are no longer able to care for them.

EVACUATION PREPARATION: Time is of the essence if it is necessary to evacuate your home. It is important to store an emergency kit and leashes as close to a door as possible, make sure all pets are collared with up-to-date identification, always bring pets indoors at the first sign or warning of a storm or disaster and consider your evacuation route and call ahead to make arrangements for boarding your pet outside of the danger zone at the first sign of disaster.

GEOGRAPHICAL/CLIMATIC CONSIDERATIONS: You may live in an area that's prone to certain natural catastrophic phenomena, such as tornadoes, earthquakes or floods. If this is so, then you should plan accordingly.

For more information, or to contact American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, see their website at: www.aspca.org