Have a Pet Plan Before and After Irene

Pet owners in the Killingworth-Durham-Middlefield area can follow the National Hurricane Center's (NHC) Pet Plan as Hurricane Irene barrels towards New England, hitting Connecticut .

The NHC Pet Plan:

BEFORE THE DISASTER

• Make sure that your pets are current on their vaccinations. Pet shelters may require proof of vaccines.
• Have a current photograph
• Keep a collar with identification on your pet and have a leash on hand to control your pet.
• Have a properly-sized pet carrier for each animal - carriers should be large enough for the animal to stand  and turn around.
• Plan your evacuation strategy and don't forget your pet! Specialized pet shelters, animal control shelters, veterinary clinics and friends and relatives out of harm's way are ALL potential refuges for your pet during a disaster.

If you plan to shelter your pet - work it into your evacuation route planning. 

DURING THE DISASTER

• Animals brought to a pet shelter are required to have: Proper identification collar and rabies tag, proper identification on all belongings, a carrier or cage, a leash, an ample supply of food, water and food bowls, any necessary medications, specific care instructions and news papers or trash bags for clean-up.
• Bring pets indoor well in advance of a storm - reassure them and remain calm.
• Pet shelters will be filled on first come, first served basis. Call ahead and determine availability.

AFTER THE DISASTER

• Walk pets on a leash until they become re-oriented to their home - often familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and pets could easily be confused and become lost.  Also, downed power lines, reptiles brought in with high water and debris can all pose a threat for animals after a disaster.
• If pets cannot be found after a disaster, contact the local animal control office to find out where lost animals can be recovered.  Bring along a picture of your pet if possible.
• After a disaster animals can become aggressive or defensive - monitor their behavior.

Don't forget your pet when preparing a family disaster plan.

PET DISASTER SUPPLY KIT

• Proper identification including immunization records
• Ample supply of food and water
• A carrier or cage
• Medications
• Muzzle, collar and leash

Durham's emergency management director, Francis Willett has said that the Durham Animal Response Team (DART) would provide shelter for pets at . Cots and food would be provided to anyone seeking shelter there.

DART Team Director Sue White has suggested pet owners in the area sign up for Durham's Reverse 911 alert system. Residents who choose to be on DART's Reverse 911 notifiction list can send out alerts to fellow participants when an animal goes missing. The idea is to create a network of individuals in town who can quickly and easily reach each other in the case of an emergency. This alert system could be vital if a pet is missing in the Hurricane Irene aftermath.

The alert system, which goes out to citizens of the town who have chosen to be on the notification list, is paid for the town at a set fee, therefore, there can be multiple calling lists and unlimited usage at no additional charge to the town.

White suggests pet owners take the same safety precautions for their pets as they would the rest of the family.

"Keep them in a safe, dry place, make sure there's a to-go kit for your pet as well as yourself - three days worth of food, water, any medication they might need. They sense the storms much earlier than we do, which is why they start acting strangely. They might want to hide under the bed...if they feel safe there, just let them be until after the storm passes," says White.