St. Johns County Emergency Management officials are encouraging residents to organize disaster supply kits for their pets so that every member of the family is prepared for the storm.
According to the county, pet disaster kits should include the following:
· Food and water for at least five days for each pet, as well as bowls and a manual can opener if you are packing canned pet food
· A pet carrier or crate in which your pet can stand and turn around in comfortably, as well as bedding for comfort
· Litter box, litter, scoop and garbage bags for pet waste
· Sturdy leashes and harnesses
· Medications your pet may require…If your pet is on a special diet and/or medication, check with your vet to see if you can obtain an additional supply to have on hand in your emergency kit.
· Current photos and descriptions of your pets in case you and your pets become separated
Evacuating Other Types of Pets
According to county staff, identification, medical records, and proof of ownership is just as important for other types of pets (birds, reptiles, amphibians and small pets). Transportation may require additional attention and care to decrease chances of stress-induced illness and death. It is important to keep pets from different sources as separate as possible and to maintain hygiene in order to decrease the transmission of disease.
County staff says when preparing pets for an evacuation, "exotics" (primates, snakes, spiders, insects, etc.) are not permitted at shelters.
For more information on evacuating other types of pets, visit http://www.sjcemergencymanagement.org/petiypr.html.
