| This disaster information is brought to you by the University of Minnesota Extension Service, with additional information from the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center and the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension. |
Contents
Pets and Wild Animals
Find your missing pets:
- Don't panic. Most dogs and cats will stay close to their homes or will try to return soon.
- Call your pet's name often.
- Leave food and water near the home site to entice your pet to return, but realize you may attract other animals as well.
- Your pet may be hiding or trapped in the home, even if your house has been severely damaged.
- Take a carrier or a slip leash when searching for your pet. A scared pet may try to escape if you try to carry it home.
- Visit or contact local animal shelters and humane societies with descriptions of your pet.
Attend to a missing pet when found:
- Use a blanket to cover and wrap the pet, offering comfort and protection.
- Check for injuries.
- Injured pets need immediate professional attention.
- Give your pet access to plenty of clean drinking water.
- Give your pet a gentle bath to wash away any contaminants.
- If your pet has been missing for several days and is on routine medications, take the pet to a veterinarian.
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Care for injured or sick pets immediately:
- Carefully wrap an injured pet in a blanket and pick it up by the ends of the blanket. This is the best way to avoid making the injury worse.
- 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 of body weight up to three times a day. Do not use other human anti-diarrhea medicines as many of them contain ingredients harmful to pets.
| 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 pet. |
Expect a change in your pet's behavior:
- Your pet will be extremely upset. Don't expect normal behavior after a crisis.
- 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.
Be cautious of wild animals:
- Wildlife in the area are also affected by a crisis. Raccoons, 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. These animals may bite or scratch or be diseased. Call the Department of Natural Resources or other wildlife organizations in your area.
Produced by Communication and Educational Technology Services, University of
Minnesota Extension.
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