Dear Emma,
My family is moving to Florida soon and we’re worried about our pets during hurricane season. Do you have any tips to help make our lives a little easier in case we need to leave in a hurry? – Josh G.
Having your pets prepared for a potential natural disaster or emergency is great no matter where you live. In the event that you need to evacuate make sure you have a kit prepared with everything you’ll need to care for your pet for at least 3 days. Of course, the contents will vary based on individual needs but every kit should include these basic items
- Food and Water. Keep a 3-day supply in an airtight container and be sure to rotate this supply periodically to ensure freshness.
- Containment and control supplies. Pack a leash, carrier or crate to safely control and confine your pet.
- Current photos of your animals. Include a photo of yourself with your animals in case you need to prove ownership.
- Collar and ID. Make sure you have a secure collar and up-to-date ID tag on your animals.
- Sanitation Items. Include litter, litter box, newspapers, plastic bags, disinfectant, and basic first aid supplies.
- Vet records and medications. Copy vaccination records and set aside a supply of daily medicines
It takes little effort to make sure your furry friends are prepared in the event of an emergency and could save their lives. For more information on disaster preparedness click here.
Dear Emma,
I’m getting ready to head off to my freshman year of college. My dog, Sadie, has been with me for the last 6 years and I can’t imagine not being able to see her every day. I don’t want to only see her on weekends but I don’t think my dorm allows dogs. What do I do!? – Cassie H.
Freshman year is full of firsts, one of those firsts is being away from our beloved family pets for the first time. As much as you miss them, life in a dorm room is not a great place for dogs and cats. Your dorm won’t be much bigger than a bedroom and in most cases, you’ll be sharing with a roommate, adding a pet into that mix makes for cramped living quarters. Also, you’ll be spending most of your time in class, on/off-campus activities, studying and hanging out with friends, that doesn’t leave a lot of time to dedicate to a pet. On top of all of that, if dorm rules say “No Pets” then it isn’t worth risking your pet being taken away from you if you’re found out. You can easily get your animal fix by volunteering at a local shelter where lots of animals are in need of love and attention. College is a big adjustment, I know it seems overwhelming to leave Sadie at home, but she’ll be happier to see you when you come home to visit rather than being kept in a cramped dorm room.