Important Recovery tips from the University
of Minnesota Extension Service
Pets and Wildlife Animals Cards:
- Don't panic. Most dogs and cats will stay close to
their homes or will try to return soon.
- Your pet may be hiding or trapped in the home, even if it
is severely damaged.
- Call your pet's name often.
- Bring a carrier or a slip leash when going searching
for your pet. A scared pet will try to escape if you try to carry
it home.
- Leave food and water near the home site to entice them
to return,and accept that you may attract other animals.
- Contact local animal shelters and humane societies
with descriptions of your pet, or visit.
- It may take weeks or months for you and your pet
to reunite. Discuss your feelings and allow children to
feel worried and sad about the missing family member.
- Don't expect normal behavior from your pet. Your pet
is extremely upset.
- Your cat or dog may try to run back into an unsafe
home after you have rescued it. Do not chase the pet.
- If possible, wear thick clothing and gloves when
handling your pet. Biting and scratching is normal
behavior for an extremely scared pet.
- Your pet may not be hungry for a few days due
to shock.
- Use a blanket to cover and wrap the pet.
This will be a comfort and a protection.
- Check for injuries. Injured pets need
immediate professional attention.
- Give your pet access to plenty of clean,
potable water.
- Your pet may have been exposed to
contaminants. Give the pet a gentle bath.
- If your pet has been missing for several days
and is on routine medications, take the pet to a
veterinarian.
- Carefully wrap the pet in a blanket and pick it up
by the ends of the blanket. This is the best way to
avoid worsening the injury.
- An injured pet is especially likely to bite or
scratch. Protect yourself.
- Get the animal to a veterinarian immediately.
- If your cat or dog has diarrhea and you can't go to
the vet promptly, try Kaopectate at a dose of one
teaspoon per 10 pounds body weight up to three times a day.
Do not use other human anti-diarrhea medicines
besides Kaopectate. Many of them contain ingredients
harmful to pets.
- Wildlife animals in the area are affected by the
crisis too. Racoons, squirrels and other animals may
take shelter in the debris of your home. Get a
professional to help remove the animals.
- Do not attempt to rescue injured wildlife. They
may bite or scratch and may be diseased. Call the
Department of Natural Resources or other wildlife
organization in your area.
