As we have all seen, natural and manmade disasters do happen and they can happen to us. These sad and traumatic events seem to be occurring with increasing frequency, affecting more families and communities than ever before. As awareness of the need to prepare for disaster increases, we would like to do our part by offering some tips on how to include your pets in your disaster plan.

What to consider with regard to your pets’ safety, whether you are storing survival items in the home or putting together an evacuation plan:

• Identification: Pet identification can either be collars with ID tags, microchips or both. It’s also important to keep recent photos of your pets in a waterproof packet in case of separation. If you are using microchip identification, remember to include the microchip company on your list of emergency contacts.
• Vaccinations and Medications: Keep a list of all medications your pet is on as well as copies of medical records, and make sure your pets are current on their vaccinations including rabies. Also keep a two week supply of any required medications. Have all of these items in a waterproof packet. There are also pet first-aid kits and guide books, and we suggest you include such a kit in your emergency supplies.
• Food and Comfort Items: Some of the items that you would naturally remember are bagged food, canned food, supplements such as the Missing Link, extra disposable litter boxes, bottled water, and water and food bowls. Some things you might not remember would be comfort items such as blankets, toys and treats as well as your pet’s bedding. These comfort items can really be beneficial as pets undergo stress during periods of change.
• Crates, Clean-ups and Extras: You will want to have crates for transport, plastic bags for cleanup, soap, extra harnesses or collars and leashes, a can opener, paper towels, a flashlight – whatever you can think of that will help in maintaining the safety and comfort of your pet.
• Neighbors, Notifications and Photos: Establish a plan with your neighbors to take charge of your pets if you are not home, and give them the keys if necessary. Also, it is recommended that you post a sign or window sticker listing the number of pets in your home and their special needs as well as your phone number and the phone number of your veterinarian. Make sure the sticker is visible for any rescue worker or fireman who may be called. If you leave home with your pets, write “Evacuated” across the sticker.
• Shelters and Animal Hospitals: Some of the things you should check on and include in your disaster plan are listings of hotels or motels outside your area that accept pets, homes of friends outside the area that might be willing to take your pets, boarding kennels and animal shelters that accept pets during emergencies, and campgrounds outside of your area. In the event of you having to go to a shelter, you may find that the shelter does not accept pets, so do your homework on where to take your pets. Also include on your list the closest 24-hour animal hospital.
• Things to Do At Home: If a severe and potentially disastrous storm is on the way, bring your pets indoors and keep them inside. Access to fresh water is extremely important, so fill your bathtubs and sinks just in case you find yourself without water. Make sure your evacuation kit is close by and do your best to make your pets feel comfortable and safe. If they feel safer in their crate, then use the crate or carrier as their safe spot.

We recommend that you anticipate different scenarios including the possibility that your family may not be together. Make a plan on how you will get back together, how you will contact each other, and where you will meet. It is our hope that no one and no pet will ever have to encounter such a crisis, but in the event that one does occur, preparedness is the way to safety.

Fleas on pets are the one thing about spring we don’t look forward to. Even though there are many types of fleas, only one type called Ctenocephalides Felisis, or the cat flea, is to blame for almost all the fleas found on cats and dogs. In ideal conditions, adult fleas hatch from their cocoon in as little as 5 days, although they can live in the cocoon for up to 5 months. Flea larvae feed on organic material in the environment and on the droppings from adult fleas on pets. This tells us that in order to prevent dog and cat flea infestations in your home, you have to maintain the cleanliness of your pets and your home. A clean home is an unattractive one to fleas!

Flea eggs can be hiding in any many spots, including your sofa, your dog or cat’s bed, the carpet and even your bed. Unfortunately, if you’ve gotten rid of the fleas from your pet, your home is still not safe. Flea eggs can take anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks to hatch, so vacuuming the carpets and floors, and all the corners of the house should remain a priority. Food spills should be quickly cleaned up and foodstuffs must be covered. Water is also a breeding place for fleas, so all the leaky pipes should be repaired. In the event you have to use pesticides, the natural, less harmful ones, should be used. Placing herbs like bay leaves, coriander, dill, lemon peel, or clove in pantry shelves, or in stored grain has proved to be effective in keeping fleas away.

Conventional flea treatments can be useful in times of crisis, although natural remedies are more long lasting and much better for your cats and dogs. The typical flea treatment really does nothing to ward off fleas because the fleas have to bite before they are killed by the toxin. For some pets, all it takes is one bite to promote an allergic attack. The treatments applied to lawns and inside homes are often dangerous to both humans and pets. And it often doesn’t work. Fleas adapt to the chemicals and thrive despite them. Herbal products are available for treating your living environment. These are generally nontoxic and much safer for both pets and humans. Oils of juniper, citronella, eucalyptus, and cedar have been known to work well. For your pets, a healthy immune system and healthy coat will be your most effective flea treatment.

Many dog and cat owners know that one pet may have no problem with fleas, while another in the same household may suffer immensely. Often the problem lies with the pet’s immune system. As with humans, a weaker immune system makes allergens much harder to fight off. Strengthening your pet’s immune system can help combat the allergic reaction to fleas. Offering a diet rich in essential fatty acids (EFA) strengthens their immune system. Unfortunately many, if not most, commercially available products lose these essential fatty acids in the cooking process and therefore commercial diets must be supplemented.

A dog with an allergy or strong reaction to fleas will greatly benefit from essential fatty acid (EFA) supplements. The Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids found The Missing Link supplements can do wonders in helping you combat fleas. The Missing Link products are made with ingredients that are nutrient rich to address the problems of marginal or empty calories and missing nutrients that often are characteristic of commercial pet diets. These nutrients provide support to the digestive, nervous, and immune systems. The result is sustained energy, healthy skin and coat, and much more. Immune support including Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are essential substances that truly help to repel fleas.

We do not really have to dread the “flea time” of spring if we maintain a clean environment for our pets and offer them the protection of the perfect ratio of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, dietary fiber, phyto (plant) nutrients and naturally-occurring antioxidants found in The Missing Link products.