All of us in Florida need to be prepared for every hurricane season, not only for our homes and families, but also our pets. Below is a great disaster guide for all of us to have. Print it out, put it on your fridge and have a safe storm season....

Here's the link to the flyer if you prefer....

http://www.redcrosstbc.org/pdf/PetsDisasterSafety.pdf

As this handout states, all pets should be microchipped. However, registration should be national not just local. Most chip companies have a national database; get your pet’s data into it and make sure it’s entered correctly. If the registration is only local and there’s a disaster, the data is lost and there’s no way to get your pet back to you. If the registration is national, the animal can be identified and returned when order is restored.

Get your dogs used to the equipment you intend to use during a disaster. For example, if you always use a flexi-lead and put your dog on a flat lead, it may cause your dog to react abnormally. Unfamiliar equipment in addition to the stress of a disaster, can be overwhelming to your pets. Help them now when the stress level is low.

Your pets identification data should always include contact information for a friend or relative in another part of the state or country. If the two of you get separated, you want to make sure your pet has an advocate until you can be reconnected.

Work with your pets now to get them to calm down on cue with low distractions. This will help both of you when stress levels increase because you’ll have a pattern with which they’re familiar.

Marilyn Wolf, BS, CBCC-KA

Pet Behavior Consultant

New Port Richey, FL

www.KorrectKritters.com

727-372-9825

Here's a list of some important items to have on hand during hurricane season:

Extra Meds for your pets

Bottled waters

Vaccine records

Microchip information

Pet foods

Towels

Blankets

Pictures of your pets

REMEMBER!!!!!

Most disaster shelters are NOT pet friendly. Have an alternate plan in case of evacuation. Know where you are going to relocate with your pets BEFORE the storm hits, preferably with friends or family in a safe location. Do not rely on shelters or motels to accept you and your 4 legged friends just because it is an emergency situation.

SOMETHING NEW AND INTERESTING!

A consideration and alternative in case of emergency or if you have a pet prone to escaping......

 AKC CAR and PAW is offering Spotlight GPS pet locator.

Spotlight is the only product of its kind that couples the tracking services provided through GPS technology with the recovery services of AKC CAR.

Additional features of Spotlight include:

• Simple set up: designate your "Safe Spot" from your computer by clicking on a satellite image
• Small and lightweight: SpotLight attaches to your dog’s existing collar for universal and easy wear
• Removable, rechargeable battery for hassle free protection and safety round the clock
• Bright LED beacon helps owner locate pet at night—from up to 100 yards away
• Rescue "If Found" button connects lost dog with AKC CAR’s Recovery Team and the owner
• Unique collar tag identification
• Recovery assistance: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year from AKC CAR

Read more from the April 8, 2009 News & Observer (Raleigh, NC)

Read more from the April 16, 2009 Chicago Tribune(Chicago, IL)

To be notified when the new Spotlight GPS pet locator is available for sale, send an email to found@akccar.org

FOR MORE INFO HERE IS THE LINK

 http://akccar.org/news/pressrelease041509.cfm