On vacation in North Carolina, a local restaurant recommended a trail for my family to hike. The family loved it, but we also saw the evidence of animals that hadn't. The first lost dog sign was on the side of the road; on the trail, we saw two more. Malcolm, our rescue dog, took the news particularly badly, and while we tried to call their names, we had no luck.

We assumed other hikers must have let their dogs off of their leashes, so we took extra care to make sure Malcolm enjoyed the trail as much as we did.

It turned out to be a good hike -- a boulder scramble -- and Malcolm did great. We had to carry him a few times, because he was afraid of running water, but he made it to the top and all the way back down again. He even made some friends! While we were less than pleased with the fleas he brought back home, we were grateful we still had him close!

During a disaster, families need to take similar precautions to ensure the safety of their pets. The best way to protect pets, as well as humans, is to have a plan before disaster becomes reality.

On our hike, we needed a leash, clean water, and flea repellent! In the event of a disaster, we would need considerably more supplies.

First, we'd want to have an emergency kit, including:

• Waterproof containers with medical, medication, and vaccination records
• Current photos of pets in the event of separation Carriers, leashes, and harnesses to protect caretakers from a scared, stressed pet who might think biting is the only way to protect its owner
• Food, water, and manual can openers Bags, litter, and other means of waste disposal

Next, we'd need to prepare safe places for an evacuation:

• Include an emergency number on all carriers and collars.
• Never leave a pet behind Never take your pet out of its collar or carrier; leashed, contained pets are safer than those let loose.
• Keep a list of out-of-town hotels, veterinarians, and lodging facilities that could shelter a pet in an emergency; while red cross shelters do not allow animals, correct preparation should ensure you find an acceptable alternative in the face of disaster.
• Collect emergency information and suggestions from the humane society.
• Ensure caretakers know where you keep the emergency kit!

Third, we'd need to help our pet transition into life after the storm:

• Remember smells and landmarks may have changed, and your pets may be disoriented.
• Even the gentlest pets experience stress. After a storm, watch to make sure your pets are not unusually aggressive; if so, contact a veterinarian.

PuroClean technicians are trained to fix property damage after an emergency, but before disaster strikes, make sure you have a plan in place to protect the irreplaceable members of your family.