FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACTS:
June 1, 2016 Patti
Thompson 217-557-4756
IEMA, local emergency management agencies to focus on pet preparedness throughout June
SPRINGFIELD – According to a recent survey by the
American Pet Products Association, 65 percent of U.S. households include at
least one pet. If your family includes a dog, cat, hamster or other furry,
feathered or scaly friends, don’t forget to include their unique needs in your
home emergency plans.
Throughout the month of June, the Illinois Emergency
Management Agency (IEMA) and local emergency management agencies will highlight
the importance of emergency preparedness for pets.
“Pets are beloved members of many families these
days,” said IEMA Director James K. Joseph. “That’s why it’s so important to
include your pet’s needs when developing your family emergency plan and
stocking your emergency supply kit.”
Joseph said home emergency supply kits for people should
include a three-day supply of such items as food, water, first aid kit, weather
alert radio, flashlights, spare batteries and other items. Pet owners should also
have a pet preparedness kit stocked with items such as:
·
At least a three-day supply of
food and water
·
Extra supplies of pet medicines
·
Copies of pet registration,
vaccinations and other important documents
·
Photo of your pet in case you are
separated during an emergency
·
Collar with ID tag, harness or leash
·
Crate or other pet carrier in case of evacuation
·
Pet litter and box, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash
bags and household chlorine bleach for sanitation
·
Toys, treats or other familiar items to reduce your pet’s
stress during the emergency
A
disaster may require you to evacuate your home, sometimes with little notice.
It’s important to take pets with you, as an evacuation could last several days,
even weeks, and your pets likely cannot survive without care. Plan now for
places you and your pets can stay following an evacuation, as many public
shelters do not allow animals inside.
It’s
also important to have a back-up emergency plan in case you can’t care for or
evacuate your animals yourself. Talk to neighbors, friends and family to make
sure someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable
to do so.
Additional
pet preparedness and general emergency preparedness information is available on
the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov,
the Ready Illinois Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ReadyIllinois and on
Twitter at Twitter.com/ReadyIllinois.
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