By DEBORAH BEHRENDS
Illinois Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — While many families make plans for disasters, they often forget the four-legged family members.

“Pets are really a big part of many families,” said Patti Thompson, spokeswoman for the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). “If you tell people during a disaster to evacuate, and they can’t take their pets with them, they often won’t leave. That was a problem during (Hurricane) Katrina.

“A family disaster preparedness kit should take into consideration the needs of every family member, such as kids, seniors and people with special needs. If pets are part of the family, you need to prepare for their needs during an emergency, as well,” said Joe Klinger, IEMA interim director.

Thompson said the IEMA has focused on a different aspect of disaster preparedness during 2010, and the August topic is pet and livestock safety.

Pet owners should assemble items that will help their pets stay safe and healthy during disasters. Suggested items for the kit include:

•At least a three-day supply of food and water

•Extra supplies of pet medication

•Copies of pet registration, vaccination and other important documents

•Photo of your pet in case you get separated

•Pet first-aid kit, including cotton bandage rolls, tape, antibiotic ointment, flea and tick prevention and isopropyl alcohol

•Collar with ID tag, harness or leash

•Crate or other pet carrier in case of evacuation

•Pet litter and box, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household bleach for pet’s sanitation needs

•Toys, treats or other familiar items to lessen your pet’s stress
The Indiana Board of Animal Health (BOAH) offers additional suggestions for advance research. Before disaster strikes:

•Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check policies on accepting pets

•Check with friends or relatives outside your area; ask if they would be willing to shelter you and your animals

•Make a list of boarding facilities and veterinary facilities that might be able to shelter animals in emergencies

•Ask your local animal shelter if it provides foster care or shelter for pets in an emergency – this should be a last resort, as shelters have limited resources

•If you don’t evacuate, indentify a safe area of your home where you can all stay together and keep pets in carriers or on leashes

Many of these recommendations also apply to livestock. In addition, owners are reminded to not rely on automatic feeders or watering systems, as electrical power may be lost.

For more information, visit the Indiana BOAH website at www.in.gov/boah or the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.com