Tuesday’s 4.1-magnitude earthquake in the Hawthorne area inspired the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles to issue some tips for dealing with pets during natural disasters.
“Pets depend on us for their safety, food, water and more,” said spcaLA President Madeline Bernstein. “It is imperative to have a disaster plan for your family, pets included. It only takes a little advance preparation.”
Here are some suggestions for how pet owners can prepare:
-Dogs and cats should be microchipped and wear current identification tags at all time.
-If roads are blocked, professional help may not be possible. So learn pet resuscitation and general first aid procedures.
-Try not to display stress and anxiety. Most animals understand their owner’s emotions and can cause otherwise calm pets to display aggressive behavior.
-Check pet structures and favorite hiding places for hazardous debris.
-Display “Pet Alert” signs in doors and windows.
-Keep pet vaccinations current.
-Alert local shelters immediately after discovering your pet is missing.