Items to include in your emergency “Go-Kit”
NEW YORK (PRWEB) May 07, 2018
In honor of National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day (NADPD), Hill’s Pet Nutrition is joining its nation-wide network of animal shelter partners in a campaign to educate pet families on the ways they can stay safe and be better prepared to survive a disaster. This year’s National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day (NADPD) will be held on May 12, 2018, and will help raise awareness of the significant risk pets face during natural disasters.
A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zeg17wTnzxg
A nationwide media tour will be conducted on May 10th live from the Houston SPCA featuring Dr. Jolle Kirpensteijn, Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s U.S. Chief Professional Veterinary Officer and Patricia Mercer, Houston SPCA President and CEO in conjunction with D S Simon Media and Your Update.TV.
“Planning ahead is the best way for families to ensure that all members of their family, including pets, are ready to face an emergency,” said Joann Fuller, who oversees Hill’s Pet Nutrition Food, Shelter & Love® program. “Creating a pet emergency go- kit beforehand can relieve some of the stress families experience and keep pets safe when disasters strike. Our ultimate goal is to reduce the number of cats and dogs that are hurt, displaced or abandoned when communities are impacted by disaster.”
Hill’s and its shelter partners encourage families to create a pet emergency go-kit to store alongside the rest of the family’s emergency supplies. The kit should include the following items:
- Basic first aid supplies
- A 3-day supply of bottled water and the pet’s preferred food, held in a waterproof container
- Safety harness and leash
- Waste clean-up supplies
- Medications and a copy of the pet’s medical records
- List of veterinarians and local pet care organizations
- List of the pet’s feeding routine and any behavioral issues
- Comfort items, such as a blanket or favorite toy, to help keep the pet calm and comfortable
As part of the 2017 NADPD campaign, Hill’s employees created 5,000 pet emergency go-kits and donated them to shelter partners in disaster prone areas across the US. Shelters used these kits to underscore the importance of pet preparedness, and some even handed out kits to pet families evacuating from Houston in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.
Hill’s also recommends the following Tips to Help Ensure Your Pet’s Safety in an Emergency:
1. Ensure your pet’s identification by using a microchip or collar ID tag, and make sure that all contact information is up-to-date. You can update the microchip’s contact information at the manufacturer’s website by locating the code from the barcode sticker or the confirmation form provided by your veterinarian or animal shelter.
2. Display a pet rescue decal on the front door or window to let first responders know there is a pet in the house. Include the local veterinarian’s contact information.
3. Learn where your pets like to hide in the house when frightened. Finding a pet quickly will help to evacuate faster.
4. Identify a location to take a pet in case of evacuation. Keep in mind that disaster shelters for people may not be open to pets. Scout hotels and motels with pet-friendly policies and ask relatives or friends if they could house you and your pet.
5. Carry a picture of the pet in the event of separation.
6. In case of evacuation, consider taking a pet carrier or crate for transport and safe-keeping.
When even the best laid plans are not enough and communities are hit hard by disaster, Hill’s Disaster Relief Network responds quickly to supply free pet food to families in need. This first-of-its-kind network was established in 2013 as an extension of the Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love® program, which has provided more than $290 million worth of Hill’s® pet foods to more than 1,000 shelters in North America over the last 16 years.
Since 2013, Hill’s Disaster Relief Network has delivered over 280,000 pounds of free food to nearly 300 organizations across the country in response to more than 70 disasters, including floods, tornadoes, mudslides and the devastating hurricanes and wildfires last year.
“To be able to depend on Hill’s coming through at a time of stress, chaos, and numerous other needs, was one less thing we had to worry about,” said Cindy Machado, Director of Animal Services at Marin Humane, a Hill’s shelter partner in Novato, CA. “It is something that we will be forever grateful for.”
Families can view the entire Pet Emergency Go-Kit and learn more tips about disaster preparedness and safety at HillsPet.com/PetPrepared. Shelters in need of assistance can contact DisasterRelief@hillspet.com.
About Hill's Pet Nutrition:
Founded more than 75 years ago with an unwavering commitment to pet nutrition, Hill’s mission is to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets. The right nutrition combined with the devotion of veterinary professionals can transform the lives of pets; and healthier and happier pets can transform the lives of pet parents. Hill's is dedicated to pioneering research and groundbreaking nutrition for dogs and cats based on a scientific understanding of their specific needs. HILL'S® Prescription Diet® therapeutic pet foods, HILL'S® Science Diet® and HILL'S® Ideal Balance™ wellness pet foods are sold through veterinarians and pet specialty retailers worldwide. For more information about Hill's, our products and our nutritional philosophy, visit us at HillsPet.com, HillsVet.com or Facebook, keywords "Hill’s Pet Nutrition."
About YourUpdateTV:
YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content, produced by award-winning video communications firm, D S Simon Media (http://www.dssimon.com). It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology.