WHEN DISASTER STRIKES

In the event of a disaster, your pet is entirely dependent on you for its survival. Here are some helpful tips on how to evacuate a disaster area with your pet.

1. Take your pet with you. This is the single most important thing you can do for your pet when disaster strikes. Animals that are turned loose or left behind to fend for themselves are likely to become victims of exposure, starvation, predation, contaminated food or water, or accidents. Even if you think you're only going to be gone for a few hours, take your pet with you.

2. Leave the area early — don't wait for a mandatory evacuation order. It's far better to make an unnecessary trip than to wait too long to leave safely with your pets. For hurricanes, pay attention to forecasts and always anticipate a category higher than the one being predicted, as the storms often increase in strength just before landfall.

3. Call to confirm emergency shelter arrangements for you and your pets.

4. Bring your pets into the house and confine them so you can leave quickly if you have to. Make sure your pet's emergency supply kit is ready to go.

5. Try to evacuate to a safe location as close to home as possible. A long-distance evacuation can pose problems when highways are crowded.