June? Already!? YES! Summer is nearly upon us and 2021 is flying by. With June nearly here, it’s time to usher in National Pet Preparedness Month. Remy’s Kitchen is excited to have curated some great pet preparedness tips from trustworthy, valuable resources for you and your pets, perfect for this month and forevermore.
1. Identification
When it comes to pet ownership, identification is key!
The Pet Poison Helpline recommends making sure your pet is microchipped and, if they do not have one yet, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to have one put in place.
Summertime can mean moving for a lot of families. If you’re relocating, it’s important to let your microchip company know so that they can update their records with your new address and/or phone number. Another helpful tip is to include other important information such as whether they need medication, or if they do not like other animals, to help emergency personnel know what type of care they need while they work on reconnecting you.
2. Build a separate emergency kit for your pets
When it comes to preparedness of any kind, ready.gov is a great resource. This is also true for pet preparedness, as they have several tips for building a separate emergency kit for pets:
- A pet supply kit should contain the basics for survival like pet food and water.
- Put a favorite toy, treats or bedding in your pet’s emergency kit to help reduce their stress.
- Add extra pet food & water to your grocery list to update your pet’s emergency kit.
- Food, water, collar, veterinary records are some items for your pet’s emergency kit.
- Take care of farm friends in an emergency. Pack emergency items for them too, including vehicles and trailers.
- Keep your pets’ vet’s name and vaccination records handy in case of emergency.
- Don’t forget a pooper scooper, cat litter, or plastic bags in your pets’ emergency kit!
3. Get a Rescue Alert Sticker
If ever there’s an emergency situation in your home, the easiest way to communicate to emergency personnel (especially if you aren’t home!) is by way of a rescue alert sticker. This easy-to-use sticker will let people know that pets are inside your home. Make sure it is visible to rescue workers (we recommend placing it on or near your front door), and that it includes the types and number of pets in your home as well as the name and number of your veterinarian. If you must evacuate with your pets, and if time allows, write “EVACUATED” across the stickers. To get a free emergency pet alert sticker for your home, fill out this online order form and allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. Your local pet supply store may also sell similar stickers.
4. Identify animal-friendly locations, in case of an evacuation
Pet Sitters International recommends knowing where you can take your pet in the event of an emergency. Evacuation shelters and pet-friendly hotels outside a 60-mile radius of your home are good places to start. Websites like BringFido.com and GoPetFriendly.com offer searchable directories of pet-friendly lodging options.
So plan ahead for National Pet Preparedness Month this June 2021, and let’s all do what we can to ensure our pets’ health and safety is a top priority. Because when safety is taken care of, that’s when we can look forward to the fun things – like treating our fur babies with Remy’s Kitchen!
