Resources

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina exposed issues involving the emergency evacuation, care, and shelter of animals during disasters. According to the Louisiana SPCA, almost 260,000 New Orleans families owned pets when Hurricane Katrina hit. There was no formal evacuation plan for those needing assistance or for those with pets. Polls show that almost half of people who did not evacuate for Katrina refused because they would not leave their pets behind, risking their own lives, and those that chose not to evacuate and were rescued by first responders during the aftermath, were not permitted to take their pets either. It is estimated that 104,000 pets were left behind to weather the storm and its aftermath. At least 88,700 pets went unaccounted for and most estimates put the number of pet deaths between 50,000-70,000 across the Gulf Coast.

Suggested Dog Evacuation Kit

1 week supply of food and any medication
Can opener for food if needed
Water
Copy of current rabies certificate
Leash, collar and tag, harness
Dog waste bags
Bowls for food and water
Toy or bone for comfort
First aid kit
Crate for each dog
Harness and seatbelt for securing dog(s) in vehicle (if no crate)
A picture of you and your dog(s) together in event you become separated

Suggested Cat Evacuation Kit

1 week supply of food and any medication
Can opener for food if needed
Water
Copy of current rabies certificate
Collar and tag, harness with leash
Waste bags
Bowls for food and water
Litter and small litter box or foil baking pans. Newspaper can be used in a pinch.
First aid kit
Cat carrier with a puppy pad liner or towel for comfort for each cat.
A picture of you and your cat(s) together in event you become separated.

Wag On Inn fosters should treat their foster dog as a member of the family during natural disasters and reach out to our Placement Team (WOIPlacement@gmail.com) if they need assistance. For a full copy of our Emergency Preparedness Plan please visit: https://arcg.is/1ajzye0.

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TRAINING RESOURCES
Please check out the following websites and links for some great articles on training and socialization.

Bestfriends.org
Thebark.com
Positively.com
Chewy.com

Housebreaking 101:

https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/house-training-your-puppy

Leash biting/excitement:

https://thebark.com/content/how-can-i-stop-my-dog-biting-leash

Leash training:

https://positively.com/contributors/teaching-a-dog-not-to-be-scared-of-a-leash-or-collar/

How to introduce cats and dogs:

https://be.chewy.com/is-this-normal-my-cat-is-afraid-of-my-new-dog/

Understanding dog body language:

https://positively.com/dog-training/understanding-dogs/canine-body-language/