Results tagged “disasters” from Valley of the Dogs

I'm sure some of you know this already but just in case you haven't been evacuated you might want to read this...especially if you have animals to evacuate.

CLICK HERE for a full list of evacuation centers including for our furry friends. Please stay safe out there!!

And according to this...Pierce College (as it usually does) is now accepting animals. CLICK HERE for details.

EMERGENCY CENTER GUIDELINES:
Bring Horse and Owner Name and Phone number
No stallions
Bring a water tub and medicines for your animal
Bring feed if you can.

Note that Pierce College is NOT an evacuation center for people, but only for large animals.

Just checked some fire updates on dailynews.com. Here's an update on where you can bring your animals:

Animal Shelters

* Pierce College - Equestrian Center - HAS REACHED CAPACITY
6201 Winnetka Avenue
Woodland Hills, CA 91371
(818) 719-6401
Enter campus on El Rancho Road off of De Soto Avenue just south of Victory Boulevard.
* Hansen Dam Equestrian Center - HAS REACHED CAPACITY
11127 Orcas Road
Lake View Terrace, CA 91342
(818) 896-6514

Those with livestock or horses can bring them to the Ventura County Fairgrounds. All other animals should be taken to the Camarillo Airport.

* Ventura County Fairgrounds
10 Harbor Blvd.
Ventura, CA 93001
* Camarillo Airportt
600 Aviation Dr.
Camarillo, CA 93010

For updated information on all evacuation shelters, CLICK HERE!

I know I've posted this before but as you know fire season is in full force. For up-to-the-minute updates on the fire CLICK HERE!! It even lists places where you can bring your pets (Hansen Dam comes to mind). The following comes from an ASPCA press release that I received a while back:

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS FOR PETS

What Pet Owners Need to Know in an Emergency

Los Angeles - Disasters strike at any time, don't get caught unprepared. It is now fire season and a major earthquake just hit the Chino Hills area today, only 29 miles away from Los Angeles. When a disaster strikes a community, essential services are often unavailable and precautions should be taken for the entire family including the safety of pets.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) strongly recommends pet owners prepare for an emergency by following simple guidelines to ensure their pet's safety in the event of an urgent situation or natural disaster.

"Pets depend on us for their safety, food, water and more," says Madeline Bernstein, spcaLA President. "With the earthquake that just occurred, it is important to have a disaster plan in place to ensure all members of the family are accounted for properly and it only takes a little advance preparation."

The following are the most important things pet owner can do to prepare their pets for an emergency:

* Make sure there is a supply of canned/dry pet food and bottled water with other emergency provisions including pet prescription and medicine.

* If roads are blocked due to a natural disaster, professional help may not be possible immediately so familiarize yourself and other family members with pet CPR, resuscitation
and general first aid procedures. Your quick action could save your pet's life.

* Try not to display stress and anxiety when dealing with pets. Most animals are very aware of their owner's emotions and can read your stress. This can cause otherwise calm pets to display aggressive behavior.

* After a fire or disaster, check pet structures and favorite hiding places for hazardous debris.

* Ask your local fire department, animal shelter or veterinarian for a "Pet Alert" sign for doors and windows. If none are available, make your own by listing your pets on 3X5 card and display it prominently. This alerts emergency teams there may be pets that need assistance.

* Dogs and cats should wear I.D. tags with current address and/or phone number at all times. This will make it easier for you and your pet to be reunited if separated.

* Keep up-to-date on your pet's vaccinations. Pets may become disoriented and stray, or housed in shelters with other animals, thereby potentially becoming exposed to infectious
diseases.

* Alert local shelters immediately upon discovering that your pet is missing.

For more information, contact spcaLA at 1(888) spcaLA-1 or visit www.spcaLA.com.

I also came across THIS INFORMATION from DOGSTER. I can't stress enough the importance of having an evacuation plan for both you and your pets. ALWAYS KNOW YOUR PET'S FAVORITE HIDING PLACE. I constantly keep up-to-date on new hiding places that my cats love to hang out in.

Anthony Stipelcovich loads up his cats at his home in Arabi, La. in preparation for Hurricane Gustav. Gay/AP
I was away this weekend so I didn't get the chance to update much. Lots of things happening on my end as you know. Some good things have happened regarding pet adoptions, but that's for another post. Last night we were watching updates on Hurricane Gustav, and I couldn't help but notice the difference in evacuation efforts to that of Katrina. I'm just so glad that people have been allowed to either bring their pets with them or arrange for separate rescue rather than leave them there. That was one thing that really got to me during Katrina. Though it still bothers me that something like the horrible mishandling of Katrina had to happen for people and governments to shape up. Pets are family! They are not just pieces of furniture that you should leave behind.

And second of all...I'm so glad that the storm is not as severe as originally thought although the gulf coast isn't completely out of the woods yet. That is definitely something to be thankful for.

Here's a wonderful article by Stephanie Gaskell of the New York Daily News.