Animal Services 2000 ~Information for Putnam County, FL

1) MAKE YOUR PET EMERGENCY PLANS BEFORE THEY ARE NEEDED.

• Post emergency - including both your regular vet and local emergency vet - phone numbers by each home phone and numbers programed into cell phone.
• Have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in your home.
• Have family members learn age appropriate safety measures.
• Keep a first aid kit in your home and in your car. Know basic pet first aid and which items in your first aid kit can be safely used on your pet. To put together a first aid kit for your pet go to http://animalservices2000.org/content/node/101
• Have an out of area family member or friend who can be the common contact person if evacuation is needed or some family members can not get home during an emergency.
• Keep copies of important documents in a waterproof container - include your pet's veterinary records and a picture of you and your animal that shows enough detail of your pet to show proof of ownership. An additional picture of the pet alone can be used to assist in locating the pet if it should become lost.
• Keep a minimum of 5 days worth of food, water, and medicines in your home for each pet.
• Keep a small disaster supply kit in your car which should include an extra leash for each pet. Don't forget to always have a couple of bottles of water and some type of bowl for your pet.

2) KNOW WHERE YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY EVACUATION SHELTERS ARE AND IF THEY ALLOW PETS.

PUTNAM CO. go to Pet-Friendly Evacuation Shelter (PFS) Locations
http://www.animalservices2000.org/content/node/39

When taking your pet to a Pet-Friendly Shelter (PFS) make sure that you have your own picture ID -- Drivers License is prefered. This assists in the process of ensuring a safe return of the pet to its owner.

All dogs, cats, and ferrets need to be current on their rabies vaccine or rabies titer. You must show tag or documentation from vet at Intake.

There are supplies that you will need to have ready when taking your pet to a pet-friendly evacuation shelter.

• Prescription medicines
• Species appropriate roomy cage or crate. Remember your pet will be spending most of its evacuation time in this containment. Crates or cages for cats and ferrets need to be big enough to hold a small litter pan and still allow the animal to lay down comfortably.
• Collar/harness, leash, or other needed restraint item
• Bedding - blanket/towel, newspaper, bedding chips for hamsters, rabbits etc.
  Waste bags - owners are required to potty dogs in a restricted area and to clean up solid waste after their pet.
• Food for 3-5 days.
  Unbreakable or disposable bowl/container for food
  Single serving pop-top cans of soft food- there will be no refrigeration available.
• Water for 3-5 days.
  A change in water may upset your pet's tummy - not a good time for this to happen.
  Water supply may go down. First priority will be water for people.
  Unbreakable bowl or bottle for water.
• Pre-moistened cleaning cloths for sick or soiled pets.
  Paper towels
  Hand sanitizer
  Comb or brush
  Nail clippers
• Comfort toy if your pet normally has one at home
• ID on each pet, include your local contact info and an out-of-area contact.
• Pet insurance card if pet is covered under a policy - keep this with you.

TIP - Place food, bowls, bedding, etc. in a plastic tote marked with your name. This will keep all of your pet's personal items clean, organized, and safe.

3) PETS SHOULD NEVER BE LEFT BEHIND EXCEPT IN THE MOST EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES.

• Make sure all of your dogs and cats have a crate and ARE CRATE TRAINED.
• Don't wait until trying to move your pet out of danger or when putting them into a shelter to give a quick learning session with a crate. Have a secure tag attached to each crate with ID info. 
• For species appropriate pets consider having them microchipped.
• Have a picture of you and your pet for ID purposes.
• Have your pet up to date on required shots or in certain cases their titers. 
• Have a copy of their medical records including documentation from the vet with your emergency kit. 
• If evacuating with your pet, make sure that you take along enough food and water for the pet for a minimum of 3-5 days. 
• Take any Meds that your pet will need during an evacuation. 
• Have clean up supplies: paper towels, trash bags
• If the pet has a favorite comfort toy take that along

Pet Plans and People Plans should be considered parts of the overall FAMILY PLANS. Download the PDF Family Emergency Plan by Ready America, FEMA and keep in a safe handy location.

To stay current on the latest in Putnam Co. go to our EMERGENCY SITUATION UPDATES ... page
http://www.animalservices2000.org/content/node/43

To find out more about Putnam Co. Pet-Friendly Evacuation Shelters go to
http://www.animalservices2000.org/content/node/9