Hurricane Preparedness: A Checklist

Here's a list of supplies to have to better cope with unforeseen circumstances:

• Cell phone with 4 extra batteries.
- Wireless laptop, if you have one, plus an extra battery.
- 3 Flashlights and extra batteries
• Portable battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• First-aid kit
• Emergency food and water
• Non-electric can opener
• Essential medicines
• Cash and credit cards
• Sturdy shoes and a change of clothing
• Copies of important papers, including bank accounts, insurance and household inventory records
- Your address book to stay in touch with relatives and friends.
- Photos of your pets, ID tag numbers

Emergency Situations –Be Prepared to Care for Your Pets

* KNOW WHERE TO GO: Most emergency shelters can't accept pets and animal shelters and boarding kennels often have limited space. If you've waited too long to get space in your pets local kennel, make arrangements with a out of town, out of the path of the storm friend or relative for your pet, but DO NOT LEAVE THEM AT HOME. After Andrew, thousands of pet dogs and cats were left dead, dying, starving, disoriented, diseased and lost and had to be euthanized. Prepare ahead so this won’t happen to your pet.

• KEEP CURRENT MEDICAL RECORDS ON HAND: Many kennels and shelters will not take pets without proof of vaccinations, and if a pet is injured or becomes ill during the storm, access to medical records will help vets provide better care.

Next: A Checklist (continued)