By Stacy N. Hackett
Posted: August 13, 2008 2 a.m. EDT
With hurricane season affecting many parts of the country, pet owners should take some time to make emergency plans for themselves and their pets. To help pet owners cover all contingencies in case of a natural or manmade disaster, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) has put together a Disaster Preparedness Guide, available at the group’s website.
Developed by NAPPS’ disaster preparedness committee, the plan is designed to help professional pet sitters and pet owners develop personalized disaster plans for their businesses and homes. Types of disasters covered in the plan include tornadoes, thunderstorms, hurricanes, floods, winter storms, extreme heat, wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis and even volcanoes.
In addition to helping pet sitters develop plans that consider the welfare of their clients’ pets, the guide provides information pet sitters can share with their clients. It also includes pet identification forms, checklists for disaster supply kits and special recommendations for birds, reptiles and other small animals.
“As an association dedicated to protecting the welfare of all animals, we are confident that this guide may mean the difference in preventing the suffering many pets, pet sitters and pet owners might otherwise experience,” said Jerry Wentz, past president of NAPPS. “We encourage every pet sitter to use this guide to develop personal emergency response plans, and encourage their clients to have readily accessible kits with provisions for families and pets.”