SACRAMENTO, CA (August 28, 2006) – As Hurricane Ernesto heads toward Florida, United Animal Nations (UAN) is encouraging residents to include their pets in their evacuation plans.
Animals left behind during hurricanes can get injured, drown, fall ill, and even hamper human evacuation and rescue efforts. Families who must evacuate are encouraged to:
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Assemble an animal disaster kit that includes food, water, medications, a leash or cat carrier, and photos of you with your animals. Visit www.uan.org for more disaster kit tips.
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Identify all animals with a tag and microchip so you can be more easily reunited if separated.
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Seek refuge in a hotel that allows pets. Most hotels and motels are pet-friendly, and those that aren’t often make exceptions during disasters. A searchable database of pet-friendly accommodations is available at www.petswelcome.com or www.petfriendlyhotelsandtravel.com.
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Place animals in a pet-friendly evacuation shelter. Local Red Cross chapters can provide information on the availability of emergency shelters for animals. Find Red Cross chapters at www.redcross.org.
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Leave animals with friends or relatives or board them at a professional kennel safely out of the flood’s reach.
“Animals left to fend for themselves during hurricanes suffer terribly, and their caregivers often compound their stress because they are so worried about their pets,” said UAN President and CEO Nicole Forsyth. “For both human and animal safety, it is vital that families include their animals in their evacuation plans.”
Through its volunteer-driven Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS), UAN provides free emergency sheltering and disaster relief services for animals in communities that become overwhelmed by natural disasters or other crises. Since 1987, UAN has responded to 70 disasters, saving thousands of animal lives. With more than 2,600 EARS volunteers in the United States and Canada, UAN can provide the following services to communities in need:
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Set up and operate temporary animal relief shelters
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Evacuate animals from a disaster site
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Rescue abandoned and stranded animals
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Feed and care for displaced animals
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Transport animals and coordinate veterinary care
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Distribute food and supplies to the community
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Reunite lost animals with their caregivers and find permanent new homes for unclaimed animals
Emergency management and animal control agencies in Florida can call
UAN at (916) 429-2457 for assistance.
About UAN: Now celebrating its 20th year, United Animal Nations (UAN) is North America’s leading provider of emergency animal sheltering and disaster relief services and a key advocate for the critical needs of animals.
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