Preparing Emergency Shelter for Your Aging Parent’s Pet
Caregiver in Vienna VA
Throughout the month of September people all over are observing National Preparedness Month. This is a month-long observance set aside to raise awareness of issues related to emergency 
preparedness and what steps that people should take in order to feel confident that they have everything that they need and the proper steps in place to help them handle an emergency or disaster situation. As a family caregiver for your aging parent it is important that you do not just think about your elderly loved one when it comes to making sure that they are prepared for the possibility of an emergency or disaster situation. Instead, you must also think about their pet. Having an animal in their life is a wonderful way to improve your parent’s health and wellbeing, and it is essential that you show your care and respect for that animal by ensuring that the right steps have been taken to get them through a potentially dangerous situation in the best way possible.
One of the most important issues to keep in mind when helping your parent’s pet get through an emergency or disaster situation is shelter. Pets should never be left outside during and emergency and will need special accommodations in order to stay safe and healthy throughout the experience.
Use these tips to help your parent prepare an emergency shelter for their pet in the event of an emergency or disaster situation:
- Keep pets separated. If your aging parent has both a dog and a cat, make sure that they are kept separate in the home during the emergency. Even if these animals always get along, the stress and fear of the emergency situation can cause them to act aggressively and potentially hurt one another. Try to isolate larger animals from smaller animals so that they are all calmer.
- Find a safe place for them. If an evacuation is possible or eminent, make sure that there are plans in place to keep them safe. Many emergency shelters do not allow animals in them, so it is important that you have somewhere safe and secure for the animals to be if they are not able to be in the home with your parent. Contact kennels to find out if they are accepting any other animals. As a last resort, contact animal shelters in the area and ask about fostering for the period of the emergency.
- Create a safe space. You and your parent should do absolutely everything in your power to make sure that if your aging parent leaves the home during an emergency or disaster situation, so do their animals. If a situation arises that makes this impossible, however, take steps to keep them as safe and secure as possible in the home. Do not crate or tie them up. Try to keep them isolated in an interior part of the home away from windows and exterior doors. Remove the toilet lid and seat so that they can drink freely. Put out plenty of food for them and provide them with sanitation pads. Put a large notice on all doors alerting emergency personnel to the presence of the animals, what kind of animals they are, their names, their location, and their behavior. This will give them the best chances of being rescued.
If you or an aging loved one are considering caregiver services in Vienna, VA, call the caring staff at Medical Professionals On Call today. 703-273-8818
Source: https://www.ready.gov/animals
Medical Professionals On Call has such a caring, professional staff who are available to step in with whatever level of care necessary for loved ones and to relieve you of that stress.
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