ASVT: Hurricane Season Approaches… Are your pets ready?

The month of May brings many things to Southeast Texas! One that is foremost on our minds is the approaching hurricane season. Are you prepared? Are your pets prepared? Forecasters say this year will be a busy hurricane season.

May 8, 2024 is National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day. Disasters happen everywhere and some are with no warning. Now is the time to put your plan together.

What is National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day?

After Hurricane Katrina when thousands of pets were abandoned and displaced, FEMA established National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day. This day is set aside to raise awareness on disaster preparedness for animals and how to cater to them in dire situations

Every Dog Has A Story…

Fancy

Hi Dock Line Peoples! It’s me Fancy! That’s what my foster mom named me. Nobody knew what my real name was because I was lost and wandering around the streets. I was very scared! A nice lady found me and called ASVT to see if I could be taken into their program. I was so happy they said yes and my foster mom came to pick me up. I was happy to be in my new foster home. There are lots of other doggies there and they liked me. ASVT tried to find my parents but no one claimed me. I got to go to an ASVT Adoption Event and had a great time. Everyone like me. We got back home and I surprised my foster mom with a beautiful baby. She had no idea! My baby is tiny girl and her name is Dumplin! We are being so loved and cared for! What a difference it made in my life and my baby.

Are You Prepared?

Regardless if your pet is a puppy/kitten, adult or senior they depend on you to keep them safe.

Before a disaster strikes, it is necessary to be as prepared as possible.

Natural disasters are increasing in frequency and magnitude. Tornadoes are striking in new areas, hurricanes are making landfall at Category 3 or 4.

Please take time to think about how you would evacuate your home with your pets, both small and large. Do you have a plan in place?

It is an unknown factor to know when or where the next disaster will hit, so being prepared is the best way to ensure your family and pets will be safe.

Emergencies come in many forms, and they may require anything from a brief absence from your home to permanent evacuation. Different disasters require different needs to keep your pets safe, so the best thing you can do is to be prepared.

Arrange a safe haven for your pets in the event of evacuation. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND. Remember, if it isn’t safe for you, it isn’t safe for your pets. They may become trapped or escape and be exposed to numerous life-threatening hazards. Note that not all shelters accept pets, so it is imperative that you have determined where you will bring your pets ahead of time:

How To Keep Your Pets Safe!

It is recommended to microchip your pet as a permanent form of identification.

What is a microchip? A microchip is a radio-frequency identification transponder that carries a unique identification number, and is roughly the size of a grain of rice. When the microchip is scanned by a vet or shelter, it transmits the ID number. A microchip is implanted under the skin in the animal’s shoulder area, and can be read by a scanner at most veterinary clinics and animal shelters. It’s not anymore invasive than a vaccination.

The microchip won’t do any good unless you register it with a national pet recovery database. When you register your pet’s microchip, enter all contact information. Include both landline and cell phone numbers for you and anyone else in your household who is responsible for your pets. In the event your contact information changes make sure to update with the registry also.

A Few Tips To Get Your Pets Prepared…

Carry a photo of your pet or pets in the event you get separated.
Ensure your pet’s ID tag or microchip has your current contact information.
Display a pet rescue decal or sign on a window to alert first responders there are pets in the home.
Be aware of your pets hiding places so you can find them faster during a disaster.
A list of miscellaneous supplies you and your pet might need at home or at a shelter in case you need to evacuate.
A bag of survival supplies with food, water, and medications for your pet.
A list of the closest locations of pet-friendly shelters and regional animal emergency centers.

ASVT will be working through the season to continue rescuing and saving abandoned and homeless animals. We are putting our plan to keep all our foster animals safe and hope you are doing the same.

KROGER PLUS CARD

Kroger grocery stores will donate a percentage of your purchases to ASVT. Every time you shop, be sure to use your Kroger Plus Card or Alt-ID at checkout.
Use the link below to sign in or create a Kroger account. When you edit your Kroger Community Rewards information, be sure to enter ASVTs NPO# HJ136. THANK YOU Kroger shoppers!

https://www.kroger.com/communityrewards

HOW CAN YOU HELP US HELP THEM?
ADOPT, SPONSOR, VOLUNTEER, FOSTER, DONATE!

You can visit our website to sign up to volunteer and/or foster and donate using our DONATE button. Donations help us pay for medical expenses, food, supplies and transporting animals to areas with high adoption needs.

ASVT also sponsors a Spay/Neuter Program for community animals whose owners cannot afford to have their pets altered. This helps decrease the rise of community puppies and kittens that will end up in the shelters.

The accomplishments of ASVT would not be possible without partners like Wiesner Automotive, Ransoms Steakhouse, Animal Hospital of Montgomery, Bruce and Toni Sellers, Dock Line Magazine and so many more.