“Our pets are members of the family. As such, taking the necessary precautions to ensure their well-being is a vital part of any emergency preparedness plan,”said Josh Hourie, community relations coordinator with the Saskatchewan SPCA.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has created a lot of uncertainty in all areas of life. One thing we can still control is making sure the animals in our lives are looked after in the event that we are unable to care for them.”
The Saskatchewan SPCA offers the following tips to ensure preparedness:
- Have an emergency kit: keep a two-week supply (or more) of pet food and water, as well as any medications they may need and a travel crate, properly labeled with your pet’s name and your contact information.
- Identify trusted family or friends who can care for your pets: have at least three options lined up in case they become sick or hospitalized. Ensure you have spoken with these individuals before you consider them an option.
- Create a written emergency plan for each pet: include your name and contact information, your pet’s feeding schedule, any medical conditions,and treatment instructions. Document your pet’s vaccination status, and list the contact information for your veterinarian.
Unless you are hospitalized and live alone, keep your pets with you, even during self-quarantine – the best place for them is at home. Take necessary precautions with all loved ones, including pets, and practice social distancing on walks, keeping two metres of distance from other people and pets.
For more information, check out www.saskspca.ca and for local updates on pets and their well-being, be sure to find the Moose Jaw Humane Society page at moosejawhumanesociety.ca.
