How You Can Help Pet Victims of Natural, Man-Made Disasters

PetSmart - Pets.com

Pets are often victims in man-made or natural disasters. Whether we experience them in our own communities or watch them unfold on national TV, we want to reach out and help them, but may be unsure how to do so.

Here are some general tips on how you can help pet victims in the event of an emergency:

• Stay tuned to your local or national news outlet. News agencies will broadcast or publish on their web sites the contact information of animal welfare agencies who are assisting in rescue efforts. They will also make available the agency's donation needs including money, food or other items.
• If you are local to the affected area and have the ability, visit your local animal agency's web site to get the latest updates on rescue efforts and to find out what sort of donations they need. Contact by phone may be difficult as shelter staff may be assisting Pet Parents with missing pets or out in the field on rescue missions.
• Resist the urge to "show up" at a shelter in an affected area. During emergency situations, shelters operate under organized disaster plans and you may need certain training or certifications to assist. Plus, you could be placing yourself in danger while enroute to the shelter.
• If you are living outside the affected area and want to help, contact your local animal welfare agency. These shelters have a tight network and often assist each other in emergencies. They will be able to tell you how you can help.
• Sign up as a foster parent. During emergencies, shelters often fill up quickly with pet victims and rely on foster parents inside and outside their communities to assist in temporarily housing pets made homeless.

Related: Prepare Your Pet For an Evacuation

Discussion: Do You Have an Evacuation Plan for You and Your Pet?

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