Pet Preparedness During Natural Disasters: Before, During and After

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

http://www.tripswithpets.com/prepare

http://amberalertforpets.com/

We are doing free searches for lost pets for every part of the country that has suffered the traumatic effects of our summer of storms.  All they need to do is visit our web site amberalertforpets.com click on join and when the registration form appears in the box that has the word code in it type storm 2011 and that will allow them to register every pet in their household for free.  We recommend that they register them all even the ones that aren’t lost.  Once the registration is complete click on lost pet and complete that brief report and we will send out a lost pet alert.  Attach a photo if you have one and yes a cell phone photo will do just fine.  If you don’t have a photo describe your pet to the best of your ability and we will issue the alert.

Let me tell you a little about us.  We are not a non-profit.  We have been doing what we do for seven years and no one in our organization is paid a salary. I get up every morning at 3am and deliver 150 newspapers to supplement my social security payment.  I am 69 years old and I started Amber Alert for Pets when I lost my Black Lab Bobby.  I found it very disturbing that when I called every non-profit in my community not one of them answered the phone.  In fact, only one of them called me back and that was 5 hours later.  We answer the phone and if we don’t we call you back and not 5 hours later.

Let me assure you of one thing and that is how important it is to talk to some one who knows what you are going through and is willing to listen and offer you suggestions on what you can do to find your lost friend.  It is hard to think clearly when you are under the strain of the loss of a family member.  We encourage you to call back whenever you feel the need to 24/7.

We charge 24.95 for a registration for the first year and 14.95 for each following year that you stay with us.  Our fee registers every pet you own.  We charge by the household not by the pet.

We never turn anyone away who has lost a pet because they don’t have the money to register. 

We issue free alerts in areas devastated by storms that have overwhelmed a family or a community.

We provide our service free for rescue groups, shelters and their foster families for the pets that are in the care waiting for a home.  Please feel free to pass this information along to any group you are in contact with.  To register all they need to do is type the word rescue in the box with where the word code appears.

We are a national association of pet owners, former pet owners and pet care professionals whose goal is to see every lost pet reunited with its family.  It is not about us it is about our lost pets.

We have recently started a second service supported by our web site titled petfriendlyrealtygroup.com.  Real estate agents who sell a home to pet owners register their pet or pets in our Amber Alert for Pets program as a house warming gift.

If you would like more information about us remember I always answer the phone 719-217-3776 or you can e-mail me.

If you can help us get the word out about our free alerts for lost pets we may be able to help more families become whole again.

TripsWithPets Offers Disaster Preparedness Guide for Pets

South Portland, ME - June 1, 2011 - Hurricane season is now upon us - running from June 1 - November 30. Experts are predicting a busier-than-usual hurricane season for 2011. NOAA is predicting 12 to 18 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher.  Each of these ranges has a 70 percent likelihood, and indicate that activity will exceed the seasonal average of 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes. It is not realistic to think certain areas cannot be affected by a hurricane. The entire Atlantic and Gulf coasts are considered high-risk areas. Inland areas are affected by the high winds, floods and tornados. The best protection from a hurricane is to be prepared and have a plan. These plans should include the entire family - that means our pets. To help pet owners prepare for hurricane season, TripsWithPets provides an online Disaster Preparedness and Resource Guide for Pets,www.tripswithpets.com/prepare.  Pets are abandoned during hurricanes and natural disasters every year. Pet owners' lack of planning is a big part of the problem. Many find themselves scrambling to find a safe harbor for their pet in the event of evacuation from their homes. The most important part of a disaster plan is to prepare for an evacuation. Red Cross disaster shelters cannot accept pets because of states' health and safety regulations and other considerations. Further, most kennels, veterinarians, and animal shelters are usually filled beyond capacity.  TripsWithPets' Disaster Preparedness and Resource Guide for Pets offers a pet evacuation plan checklist, complete with resources on finding a safe place for pets to stay, what to do if pets are home alone when disaster strikes, as well as recommended items to include in a Pet Evacuation & Disaster Kit. In addition, the TripsWithPets Disaster Preparedness and Resource Guide for Pets includes links to the National Hurricane Center, Weather Channel, American Red Cross, and FEMA - just to name a few.  The guide also offers site visitors access to helpful directories, such as over 20,000 pet friendly accommodations across the U.S. and Canada, airlines, pet hospitals and more. "We never know when a disaster will strike. That's why we all need to take the time NOW to prepare a disaster plan for our pets." comments Kim Salerno, President, Trips with Pets, Inc. "The best thing you can do to ensure the safety and well being of your pets is to be prepared." To keep pets safe, create a disaster plan now. The TripsWithPets Disaster Preparedness and Resource Guide for Pets can be found at www.tripswithpets.com/prepare. TRIPSwithPETS.com is the premier online guide for pet travel - offering resources to ensure that pets are welcome, happy, and safe when traveling. Visit www.tripswithpets.com, to find a directory of pet friendly accommodations across the U.S. and Canada, airline pet policies, pet travel tips, pet travel supplies, along with other valuable pet travel resources.