Date: February 15, 2019
Pets are an important part of family life. It is hence important to take measures to ensure that they are kept safe during floods. How can you achieve this? Well, this piece is written to offer you all the necessary insights.
Sufficient preparation before floods is a critical aspect of protecting animals in floods. You must realize that the pet relies solely on you for their well-being. Accordingly, you must do the following:
Local authorities often arrange for human shelters during flood. They have a policy on what can be allowed in the area. Get flood advice on whether your pet will be accommodated. If not, you may want to get contacts of the shelters and areas designated for pets.
Your pet, just like humans, will run to different directions during a crisis. The rescue team will make efforts to help pet owners who do not know what to do if there is a flood. The identity tag or microchip must have you contact details to facilitate the process of reuniting you with your faithful companion.
Once the meteorological departments start to announce that your area will be flooded, you should order for medicine and food, so that the pet remains healthy throughout the rough time. Take note of diseases that can affect the pet including flu, pest infestation, stomach upsets among others. Opt for canned foods as opposed to raw meals to avoid food poisoning.
Most authorities will work with the media to offer information on the cause of flooding and the possible damages. Stay tuned to your radio and television at all times. Further, ask for information from your friends on social media on what to do during flooding.
Confusion is bound to arise when people do not know what to do in case of a flood. It is not uncommon to find people choosing one narrow escape route when there are many other options available. For you and your pet to be safe, you should be proactive in finding an alternative route. For instance, you can install extra gates in your farm.
There is a chance that you will not be at home when flooding and evacuation takes place. Trust one of your neighbours to take your pet and communicate on the progress.
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Your pets will not be aware of what to do when it floods. They will be swept away in the rain, as they wait for you to act. Bring them inside the house and most preferably, ensure that they are in the safest place in the space. For instance, take them upstairs if you are in a two storey building.
You may need to give documents such as vaccination records and your contact details to the rescue team in case of health and other issues during and after floods. Find a plastic bag and seal it, so that the documents do not come into contact with water.
As you are still deliberating on what to do when there is a flood, you should make a trip to your garage and find out whether you have extra pet carriers. Ensure that there are in good condition and place them in one place. It will be easier to use them during the evacuation process as opposed to carrying the pets using other means. In fact, an animal can be injured, if you do not utilize a carrier.
Your pets need to feel comfortable when inside your house. Remember that they may have been distressed as you removed them from the outside space. Accordingly, make sure that they stay in dry and comfortable areas of the house. Rugs tend to absorb moisture quickly and create an unhealthy living environment for you and the pets.
So that rescue team can trace you easily. This can be at the gate, the driveway or any other place that you find appropriate.
Your pets will most likely become ill during floods because the weather is cold. Pack a few warm blankets and place them near the carrier to avoid such issues.
If you are forced to leave them behind. You don’t have to put yourself in harm’s way as you try to rescue pets and other valuables. The best that you can do in such instances is to ensure that the pets remain well-fed until they are rescued. Canned or moist food is better than other options because the animals will need less water. All food should be kept in water proof containers.
Pets get anxious and irritable because they do not know what to do in a flood. Animals that used to get along in the past will start fighting. If you have cats and dogs, keep them in separate places to avoid injuries and discomfort.
As the pet looks for things to do during flood, it may decide to hide out of fear. As such, it will be daunting to know its well-being or even get the emergency team to assist. Block such areas using hard-to-move materials. Some of the places to consider include the fireplace and vents.
The flooding water is likely to contaminate your house when it reaches to some cabinets. It will eventually harm your animals.
It is normal for you to feel agitated as you try to ask the question on what should you do to stay safe during a flood. Even so, you must try to remain calm and be kind to your animals so that they can cope during the difficult moment.
Warning signs are given by the emergency team on when you should vacate a building. Do not wait until your house is completely to start making arrangements.
This is inclusive of snakes, birds, and mice. They must be confined differently and carried accordingly. Unlike dogs and cats, it may be daunting to find pets such as birds after the floods. Ensure that they have unique name tags for a flawless identification process.
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-> Survey your home for hazards.Find out if there are sharp objects and toxic chemicals left behind by the flood water.
->Take the pet to the vet for a check-up. Even when you have taken all the precautionary measures to keep a pet safe, it is worthwhile to find out if it incurred any injuries and infections during the flood.
-> Reintroduce food slowly if the animal has been without meals for a long time. This means that you should give it smaller portions than usual.
-> Offer the pet enough time to rest. Do not interrupt the sleeping and resting moments, so that the animal can recover from the trauma. It is also vital to ensure that the pet stays in quiet areas. Try to show sufficient attention when you realize that the animal is restless.
-> Contact the rescue team daily if the pet is missing. Give a complete description of the animal and the last place it was seen to facilitate the search process.
-> Do not leave your pets tied on a tree, kennel, or any other space outside your house.
-> Do not walk with the pet during the flood without using a leash.
-> Do not yell at the animal if it fails to comply with your rules.
-> Do not feed your animal excessively because you are afraid that it may not have sufficient food during the floods.
-> Do not ignore the signs and symptoms of illness during and after the floods.
Clearly, there are many considerations to make when thinking of what to do in case of a flood. It is advisable to consult the professionals in animal and human rescue for more insights. You will find this and more at The Alternative Accommodation Agency. The company is reputable in offering quality emergency accommodation services in the UK. Whether you are affected by the flood, fire, or even a hurricane, you can expect the service providers to arrange for swift and stress-free accommodation solutions.