WrightwoodCalif.com Forum
Public Forums => Disaster Awareness & CERT => Topic started by: Chesslike on Oct 06, 08, 10:36:53 PM
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Dogs Will Not Be Saved In Disaster Without Muzzle, SPCA Says
POSTED: 4:34 pm PDT October 6, 2008
LOS ANGELES -- Based on their volunteer team's recent experience working in hurricane-ravaged Galveston, Texas, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals LA gave an unusual tip to Southland pet owners Monday.
Include a muzzle in your disaster emergency safety kit, said SPCA-LA President Madeline Bernstein.
The reason is that when disaster strikes a community -- which can happen in Southern California more likely because of fires rather than hurricanes -- state sponsored rescue efforts will not allow dogs on public evacuation transportation without a muzzle, regardless of their temperament.
"Pets depend on us for their safety, food, water and more," Bernstein said. "As we've seen recently, it is imperative to have a disaster plan in place to ensure all members of the family are accounted for properly and it only takes a little advance preparation."
She also suggests that pet owners should make sure there is a supply of canned/dry pet food, bottled water and medicines the animals may need. The group also suggests pet owners learn pet resuscitation and general first aid procedures.
Other tips:
* Try not to display stress and anxiety. Most animals are very aware of their owners' emotions.
* Check pet structures and favorite hiding places for hazardous debris.
* Get a "Pet Alert" sign for doors and windows from the SPCA-LA, animal shelters or fire departments.
* Make sure dogs and cats have ID tags with your current address and/or phone number.
* Keep up-to-date data on your pet's vaccinations and make sure they are micro chipped.
SPCA-LA has a low-cost vaccination and microchip clinic scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its center at 5026 W. Jefferson Blvd.
For more information, call 888-SPCALA-1.
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Wow....that is interesting and very good to know. Thanks for the info...
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Im curious....would the SPCA allow donations of muzzles to be put away for emergency use? Because, so many people wont have muzzles and it would be so sad if something so cheap and easy to attain would save a life
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You know, that makes perfect sense. I have to muzzle my dog when we go to the vet anyway, it's not surprising that I would need one in an emergency too. Thanks for the heads up.
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I wonder why they didn't include muzzles for cats? ;)
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Reow....... :laugh:
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While this is good advice, I'm sure if it applies here as a requirement.
The SPCA works in areas that don't have a regular animal control department.
In LA and San Bernardino County there county animal control staff. I know on the
Grand Prix/Old complex that our county was rescuing and transporting dogs that were not muzzled.
We have had our county animal control folks at Wildfire Awareness Day and they have never mentioned this.
So this should be checked to see if/how it applies locally.
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I've made an inquiry to the SB County Animal Care and Control department and waiting a response.
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Never mind.......
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I know with hurricane Ike, they were requiring animals to be in carriers. The local humane society was signing people up a couple of days in advance and handing out carriers. The problem with a wildfire or earthquake situation is there isn't that amount of warning.
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How to "Emergency" muzzle your Dog
If your dog was ever injured, or inflicted with a debilitating health problem, you should know how to prepare an "emergency" mussle. It is unsafe for both you and the dog if he/she is not muzzled during tramatic situations.
Use either a long piece of strong flexible cloth or towel, a belt, rope, or any other material that will hold the dog's mouth closed and unopenable.
Put the material over the dog's muzzle, drop it underneath, criss-cross it, bring it behind the head and tie it.
This should be done with as little trama to the dog as possible. BUT, it should be done.
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Doubling up a piece of gauze from your first aid kit works well for this. We used to use that when I worked at a vet's office in high school back in the dark ages.... :laugh:
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Or today Vet Wrap, Coban, Coflex works even better
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A great muzzle for a dog that wont let you get close enough to put it on is a lead. They work like a choke chain and they are long enough to secure a dogs mouth shut without getting hurt and they only cost around $1