September 25, 2007

LANSING - The Michigan Department of Agriculture today urged Michigan pet owners to take a few simple steps to ensure the safety of their companion animals during an emergency situation as part of National Preparedness Month.

“Pet ownership is the number one reason for human evacuation failure because people are not willing to leave their pets behind,” said Dr. Steven Halstead, state veterinarian. “Additionally, people are more likely to re-enter an unsafe evacuation area to rescue their pets.”

To help keep pets healthy and safe during an emergency, pet owners are encouraged to take the following steps:

Step 1. Prepare a portable emergency kit for your pets. This kit should include:

• portable carrier
• collar, leash or harness
• food and bottled water
• pet waste supplies
• medical records and medications
• identification on pet with phone number
• photo of owner and pet

Step 2. Ensure a pet-friendly evacuation destination by arranging emergency shelter plans ahead of time with friends or family living outside of your area.

Step 3. Create a “buddy system” with neighbors. For example, you will care for each others’ animals if an emergency strikes when one of you is not home.

Step 4. Make sure that vaccinations are current and pets have identification.

For more information, please visit one of the following Web sites: the American Veterinary Medical Association at www.avma.org, or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at www.aspca.org.