As wildfires rage in Arizona, Colorado and other states across the West and Southwest, Noah's Wish, an organization that rescues, shelters and cares for animals during disasters, alerts pet owners to take steps before a catastrophic situation.
By assembling a disaster kit and putting an evacuation strategy into place, animal owners can go a long way in ensuring the safe transfer of their animals, according to Noah's Wish.
Wildfires are wildly unpredictable and burn very, very fast. People need to know how to put together a disaster strategy specific to wildfires and the kinds of animals they have in their care, said Terri Crisp, founder and president of Noah's Wish.
For companion animals, the organization suggests that a disaster kit should be made for each pet. Contents should include:
- Extra collars, tags, harnesses and leashes
- A muzzle
- Pet food
- Familiar toys and blankets
- A manual can opener
- A supply of stored drinking water
- Food, water and bowls
- Paper towel, plastic bags and spray disinfectant for animal waste cleanup
- Copies of pet's medical and vaccination records
- Extra medication
- Recent photo(s) of the pet(s)
- A crate
- A first aid kit, including bandaging materials, antiseptic ointment and latex gloves
For more information and help with other tips, visit www.noahswish.org.
Posted: June 28, 2006, 5:00 a.m. EST