SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. -
Erica Canales from the Long Trail Veterinary Center joins us to talk about what you can do to prepare your pet in the event of an evacuation situation.
Here are some tips for pet owners in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, which displaced thousands of people and their four-legged family members.
Many shelters now allow people to bring their animals with them, a change made after Hurricane Katrina. But there are important steps pet owners can take to be prepared for an evacuation.
Veterinarians recommend putting together a pet kit, including a photo of your pet, health records, veterinary contact information, enough food for a week, water, and ID tags. They also recommend keeping to a normal routine as much as possible and staying calm.
"We do recommend that you do try to take your pets with you because if you can't go home they will be by themselves. If you do get stuck in that situation, put them in a safe place, make sure they have enough food and water, and put a note on your door to make people aware that there is a pet there," says Erica Canales with the Long Trail Veterinary Center.
Canales also recommends getting your pet used to their carrier or crate ahead of time, that way they will be easier to transport if there is an emergency.
