​FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Natural Disaster Preparedness for Families with Pets

Ethan carrying a tan colored dog after rescuing him following a hurricane
After Hurricane Katrina, President George W. Bush signed the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (aka the PETS Act) into law. The PETS Act ensures that state emergency preparedness plans take individuals with companion and service animals into consideration, and it was passed by Congress in direct response to the study on federal lessons learned in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
The PETS Act is a step in the right direction for keeping families together and safe during a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, wildfire, earthquake or flood, but if your family is also prepared in advance for emergencies you will fare much better still.
Learn about disaster preparedness for pets
Evacuation advice and a pet emergency planWhat's the number one strategy to keep pets safe if you are in the path of a hurricane? Evacuate early. This includes evacuating family pets as well.
It is best to arrange a plan ahead of time. Make sure you have a good evacuation plan in place as a backup in case you don't have access to a human/animal shelter. Do your research in advance to confirm logistical details. Confirm that your hotel is pet-friendly. Or if you're staying with relatives, ensure upfront that they are able to accommodate your whole family, including dogs, cats and/or other pets.
Best Friends employees Jeff and Ethan rescuing two dogs following a hurricane
Pet natural disaster preparedness kit and other tipsYou should also make plans to care for your pets during a natural disaster and its aftermath. Have pet preparedness kits ready for all animals in your family. Don't forget your cats and smaller pets. Your whole family should know where the kits are and how to use them.
Here's a basic checklist, but note each pet preparedness bag should be individualized for your pets and the location where you live:
  • Two- to four-week supply of pet food
  • Water and food bowls
  • Kennel or crate
  • Copy of medical records, including vaccination records
  • Extra medication for your animal (don't forget to rotate the medication so it doesn’t expire)
  • Reflective or brightly collared leash and collar with identification
  • First-aid kit (consult your veterinarian)
  • Litter pans and wee-wee pads
  • Ziploc bags and trash bags (roll them up and secure with a rubber band for storing)
  • Paper towels and washcloths
  • Bottled water (rotate periodically)
  • One or two emergency blankets (can be purchased at a camping store)
  • Regular blanket (chose size to accommodate your pet)
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • Pillowcases or eVAC Dry Sack
  • Duct tape
  • Lighter
  • Permanent marker
  • Baby wipes
  • Tarp or waterproof poncho
  • Fun things for your pet, like toys and treats
You should also have current photos of your pets in case any of your animals become lost in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Dogs and cats should be current on their vaccinations, have properly secured identification tags and be microchipped.
Gray tabby cat and gray tabby kitten in a carrier
You can help rescue teams do their jobs more efficiently by having a rescue alert sticker with the number and type of animals in your home secured to your front door. If you evacuate with your pets, write that on the sticker so emergency rescuers know everyone is safe.
Evolution of emergency preparation to include animalsDisaster preparedness has come a long way in the last decade. We now live in a society that recognizes the need to include family pets in disaster preparedness. Emergency sheltering for disaster situations now has to have an animal component. Typically, this means there will be an emergency animal shelter set up in conjunction with human shelters.
Disaster preparedness resources for families and pets
Daisy Cares provides FOOD CARE LOVE Visit their website:
​daisycares.com/

All Dog Breeds via Dogtime.com

https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/profiles

Everything Dog from VetStreet:

http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/
https://www.thepetfund.com/for-pet-owners/additional-links
Prepare for emergency veterinarian expenses
​www.animalbliss.com/prepare-for-emergency-veterinarian-expenses/
Keto diet for dogs with cancer https://www.ketopetsanctuary.com/
American Pit Bulls https://apple.news/Af8rXT_u9N2etIDSBcK0Vhg
CBD Hemp Oil for Dogs
​https://cannanine.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-cbd-hemp-oil-for-dogs/
How to get rid of fleas naturally https://www.organiclesson.com/get-rid-of-fleas/
Animal Assisted Therapy https://www.drugrehab.com/treatment/types-of-therapy/animal-assisted/
Home Remedies for Dogs
​https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2019/05/31/home-remedies-for-dogs.aspx
Symptoms and Treatment of Foxtail Invasion in Dogs
​https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/care/symptoms-and-treatment-of-foxtail-invasions-in-dogs/
How to Teach your Dog to Play Nice with Other Dogs
​https://iheartdogs.com/how-to-teach-your-dog-to-play-nice-with-other-dogs-2/
5 Things I Didn't Know About Microchips
​https://www.foundanimals.org/5-things-didnt-know-microchips/
A Pet Parents Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Dogs
​https://www.dogingtonpost.com/a-pet-parents-emergency-preparedness-checklist-for-dogs/
The Top 10 American Landmarks to Take your Pet
​https://www.foundanimals.org/the-top-10-american-landmarks-to-take-your-pet/
14 Common Plants That Are Toxic To Dogs
by Karen Tietjen of iheartdogs.com
​
Whether you’re a gardener or enjoy having fresh flowers in your house, if you live with animals, you should be aware of the plants around them. Make sure that any vegetation they may come in contact with – whether in your yard, on a walk, or in a vase – is non-toxic to them.
Here are 14 common plants that are toxic to dogs, based on information provided by the ASPCA. The list below is by no means exhaustive, and you can view the ASPCA’s complete list for dogs, cats, and horses by clicking here.
In an emergency, you can reach the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at: (888) 426-4435. (Note: it’s always a good idea to program this, along with your local emergency vet’s number, into your phone.)
We all love enjoying the beautiful growth that comes with the change in seasons, and with a little precaution, everyone can stay safe!
1. Apple (parts)
While the flesh of an apple is safe for your pup to enjoy, pet parents with apple trees in their yard should be very cautious. Parts of the fruit including the stems, leaves, and seeds contain cyanide, which is a threat if your dog starts to nibble the decaying fruit that’s fallen to the ground.
2. Aloe
While humans may use aloe gel to heal burns and scrapes, the plant can be toxic if your pet ingests it, leading to vomiting, lethargy, and diarrhea.
3. Azaleas
These flowers can cause symptoms from vomiting to cardiac failure… keep canines away! Rhododendron, a close relative, is also toxic.
4. Hops
Alcohol is bad for our furry companions, but hops are also poisonous to dogs – this makes beer a doubly toxic substance for canines. Beer drinkers and home brewers should be cautious, as ingestion of hops can cause panting, high body temperature, seizures, and death in dogs.
5. Chamomile
Although we humans drink chamomile tea to relax, this plant is poisonous to our four-legged friends. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and “bleeding tendencies."
6. Daffodils
The ASPCA explains that the bulbs contain the most poison. If too much is eaten, pups can suffer convulsions, tremors cardiac arrhythmias, and more.
7. Geranium
These popular plants aren’t exactly pet-friendly. Eating it can cause vomiting, anorexia, depression, and dermatitis in your pet.
8. Gladiola
Like daffodils, the most toxic part of this flower is the bulb. Symptoms following ingestion include salivation, vomiting, drooling, lethargy, and diarrhea.
9. Tulips
Also holding most of their toxicity in the bulb, tulips can cause vomiting, depression, diarrhea, hyper-salivation.
10. Sago Palm
Ingestion of these plants can lead to a host of scary side effects, including vomiting, melena, icterus, increased thirst, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, bruising, coagulopathy, liver damage, liver failure, and death, according to the ASPCA.
11. Oleander
These flowers are known to be poisonous to humans and animals alike. If eaten, your pooch may drool excessively and suffer from abdominal pain, diarrhea, colic, depression, or even death.
12. Rhubarb
We love it with strawberries in pie, but don’t let your pet eat a rhubarb plant. Side effects include tremors, salivation, and kidney failure.
13. Philodendron 
Keep your pooch away from this common plant. If ingested, it can cause oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing
14. Mistletoe
Pet parents should know that this festive plant is poisonous to pups, and should be especially cautious around the holidays. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and low heart rate.
​

Many people who have pets might have a, more or less pronounced, "Jungle Room." But unfortunately, not all indoor plants are safe for our four-legged roommates. Approximately 10 percent of all sickness in household animals comes from flowers poisonous to cats and dogs. Symptoms vary - depending on the nature of the poison. If the central nervous system is affected, seizures and unconsciousness can occur. If the cardiovascular system is under attack, it can lead to severe shock, in which the animals can die quickly. Continuous vomiting and diarrhea will also accompany symptoms.
Cats, kittens and small puppies that live inside love to on chew green plants. Flowers such as lilies or daffodils are a welcome change, if necessary, in a barren environment. However, in botany, an animal can lick the remnants of a vase, sniff the plant or flower, chew it or even drink the water of poisonous plants. For cats and dogs, this can be deadly. For example, all Ficus species – like the popular Benjamini, or rubber tree, is one of the most poisonous plants for dogs on the planet.
When it comes to flowers poisonous to dogs and cats, it is best that pet owners have a garden outside. These include rhododendron, oleander, yew, boxwood, cherry laurel, lilies and many more. Fresh cat grass is great for a cat to chew on a play with from time to time but it would be advisable to have a separate bed for cats using a small balcony box, planted with cat grass and catnip. There your pet should be able to let off some much needed steam.
Here is a list of the more known toxic indoor poisonous flowers and plants:
Plant Name
Toxicity Level
Plant Description
Symptoms of Poisoning
Primrose(Cyclamin Persicum)
Highly Toxic
The cyclamen is one of the most popular but poisonous flowers on the planet. It blooms red, pink and also in white in the colors. The five petals of a flower are bent backwards and sit on about 20 cm long stems. The flowering period is from August to April. The leaves are heart-shaped and drawn.
Symptoms include nausea and vomiting, sweating, and severe nausea with diarrhea. Furthermore, there are circulatory disorders and respiratory paralysis which occurs at lethal doses. It also acts externally on inflamed skin and on the eyes.
Pink Floyd, also known as Amaryllis(Hippeastrum hybrids)
Toxic
The Amaryllis is a funnel-shaped, bulbous plant with nodding flowers. The color of the flower is red, pink and white. They stand on a stem that can reach 90 cm high.
Symptoms nausea and vomiting, excessive sweating, salivation, dizziness and diarrhea. It can also damage the kidneys and cause paralysis.
Weeping Fig(Ficus Species) aka "Rubber Tree"
Toxic
This ficus species, like all others, excrete a milky white substance from its green, variegated leaves.
Vomiting and diarrhea will become present since paralysis and even death cannot be excluded even though this is one of the lesser poisonous plants for cats and dogs.
Snake Plant(Sansevieria) trifasciata aka "Mother-in-Law's Tongue"
Toxic
The leaves of the hemp sheets are sword-shaped, which form a rosette and have pale green spots. The plant grows up to three feet high. The flowers give off a strong scent and are yellowish.
The snake plant contains toxic components. The symptoms include nausea, vomiting, cramps and diarrhea.
Dumb Cane
Highly Toxic
The Dumb Cane is one of the most popular houseplants in the Americas. It has an oblong to oval shape, spanning 25 - 40 cm long. It has leaves that are dark green with white spots. The plant consists of a greenish husk even though it is rarely in bloom. It can reach a height of six feet.
Poisoning of animals is evident. Severe irritation of the mouth, irritation of the stomach, intestines and neck are seen. Animals have difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, associated with a loss of voice along with bloody diarrhea and possible death.
Dragon Tree(Dracaena drago)
Toxic
40 Dragon Tree species grow on Earth. Dracaeno drago is often found in the Canary Islands, where it can grow up to 30 feet high. In the Americas, it is kept as a houseplant. The leaves are evergreen, have inconspicuous flowers and orange colored fruits.
The Dragon Tree is one of the less poisonous plants for dogs and cats. In cats, diarrhea occurs after ingestion of the leaves.
Tulip
Toxic
From April to May, the tulip drives their 4-8 cm long, bell-shaped flowers of the onion to bloom. According to the breed form, the flower color varies over white, yellow, orange, pink, red to blue and even black. The leaves are up to 30 cm long.
Poisoning starts with excessive salivation, vomiting, gastrointestinal pain and diarrhea.
Azalea(Rhododendron Simsii)
Highly
Toxic
Azaleas bloom mostly red to pink. The flowers are bell-shaped or funnel-shaped and they are usually in corymbs. The leaves are oval and leathery. The plants grow bushy and often have a small trunk.
Vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, convulsions, weak pulse and slow breathing slow are the most common side effects. Animals also suffer from depression. When it comes to flowers poisonous to cats and dogs, this one is at the top of the list.
Oleander
Fatal
The Oleander grows as a shrub and sometimes as a small tree. Its pink or white flowers have five petals. They appear from July to September. The leathery leaves are usually three to a whorl. The plant grows up to 6 meters high.
Dilated pupils, drop in body temperature, cool legs and gastrointestinal discomfort with diarrhea. Death occurs, even in humans, by paralysis of the heart.
Chrysanthemum
Toxic
This yellow flower heads in an umbrella-like panicle. They appear from July to September. The leaves are up to 25 cm long. The stems of the plant are edgy and it reaches a height of 60-130 cm. The plant smells very aromatic when crushed.
When it comes to flowers poisonous to dogs and cats, the Chrysanthemum targets house animals more than other animals. Tumbling, drowsiness, and blindness are associated with mucosal irritation, kidney and liver damage.
The most important thing to remember in all of this is to stay calm if you suspect your pet is sick. Animals have a keen sense of knowing what the people around them are feeling. As a pet owner, you should know when your cat or dog isn't feeling well. It may be something as simple as it being lethargic or something more severe as vomiting or diarrhea. Whatever the case is, the prompt thing to do is to call your local vet and ask for a consult.
In most cases, you can rule out what is wrong with the cat before calling the vet. Did you leave for a couple of days and just get back? If so, your pet could be suffering from separation anxiety. This is something normal, especially if it is something you do not normally do. Try to rule out things before jumping to conclusions. If you do suspect that the pet is nibbling on something it shouldn't, figure out what it is before calling the vet. This will help the doctor narrow down the problem and possible solutions.

​ What to Do Before a Disaster
  1. Provide Your Pets with Proper Identification
The most effective form of pet identification is external ID tags. Disaster can strike at any time, so always ensure that your pet is wearing a collar and updated ID tags. Collars and tags can fall off, however, and the only permanent form of identification is a microchip.
A microchip is a small device about the size of a grain of rice that is implanted beneath your pet’s skin by a veterinarian or local shelter. It contains a unique number used to identify the pet. This number links to your contact information in a microchip registry that allows shelters, veterinarians and humane organizations to alert you if your lost pet is found. Ensure that your pet’s microchip is registered with your contact information. We provide free registration for any brand of microchip at the Found Animals Registry.
  1. Update Microchip Registrations
After your pets are microchipped and registered, it is essential to update your microchip registration every time you move. If your pets are rescued during a disaster, they will be scanned for a microchip, and the rescuer will start an alert that will automatically notify you through the phone numbers and email in your microchip registration. If disaster strikes and your pet is missing, check your pet’s microchip registration to ensure that rescuers are able to contact you. Our registry also doesn’t charge you for contact info updates.
  1. Display a Pet Rescue Sticker
Make sure you have a pet rescue window decal which is visible to pet rescue workers.
  1. Identify Pet-Friendly Emergency Shelters
Not all emergency shelters or hotels allow pets. Before a disaster hits, call your local emergency management office or animal shelter to see if there are places planned for people and pets to stay together in the event of an emergency. Research pet- friendly hotels away from typical disaster zones, or arrange to stay with family or friends outside of your area. Prepare a few options in a range of distances from your home in case of either localized or region-wide emergencies.
  1. Prepare a Pet Emergency Kit
You can buy a pet emergency kit and add pet-related items to your family’s existing emergency supplies. Your kit should include the following items:
Food and Water. Plan to have at least five days of food, water and portable bowls. Dry food should be in resealable plastic bags. If your pet eats wet food, make sure to buy easy open cans so you don’t need a can opener. Prepare a written feeding schedule as well.
Medication and Medical Records. Keep an extra supply of your pet’s regular medication in a waterproof zip lock bag. Also include a copy of your pet’s vaccination record and microchip number.
Supplies. For cats, include kitty litter and disposable litter boxes. For dogs, pack plastic waste bags and an extra leash and harness. Beds, blankets, toys and clothing are also useful to keep your pet calm and cozy in an emergency situation.
  1. Store Supplies for a Speedy Exit
Place all of your emergency supplies in a safe, dry, convenient place near your escape route in case you need to leave in a hurry. The safest way to transport a pet in an emergency or disaster is in a carrier or crate, so keep one close to your emergency kit. Frightened pets can be difficult to manage with only a leash and collar.
What to Do During a Disaster
  1. Don’t Hesitate; Evacuate
Not all disasters come with warning, but if they do, follow emergency response recommendations and evacuate as quickly as possible. Disasters are very stressful on both pets and people, and no one can predict how bad things will get. Do not wait until the last minute to leave. Use your emergency plan as a tool to supplement first responder instructions.
  1. Leave With Your Pets
If the area is not safe for you, it is not safe for your pets. It may not be possible to return for your pets, so take them with you from the start.
  1. Check for Found Pet Alerts
If your pets are separated from you, check your cell phone and email for Found Pet Alerts. When a rescue worker finds your lost pet and starts an alert in the Found Animals Registry, you will be contacted via phone calls, text messages and emails based on your pets’ microchip registrations.  These alerts will provide information on your pets’ location. If you cannot access your phone or email, or are unable to retrieve your pets, your emergency contacts and vet will also be notified.
Additional Resources for Disaster Preparedness:
  1. Preparing your Pets for Emergencies, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) ‎
  2. Make a Disaster Plan for Pets, Humane Society United States(HSUS)
  3. Disaster Preparedness, ASPCA
  4. Pets and Disaster Checklist, American Red Cross
  5. Saving the Whole Family Brochure, American Veterinary Medical