Disaster Preparedness for Pets - A Guide for Pet-Care Business Professionals
June is Disaster Preparedness for Pets month - but if you're a pet-care business professional it's always a good time to make sure you've got a plan in place to administer to the needs of all the pets in your care when and if a disaster strikes.
Whether you live in a rural township that is prone to flooding, hurricanes or snowstorms, or you live in a metropolitan area that is prone to the above or may one day be a target of a man-made disaster, having a plan to help your clients and their pets is invaluable. Remember, you'll want a plan that encompasses all the types of animals you care for - including livestock!
If you're ready to create your own pet-disaster-preparedness plan - use these resources to create a plan custom-fitted for you and your clients:
? The Humane Society of the United States (http://www.hsus.org) has a myriad of resources, including brochures and a Disaster Center that can educate you on the best ways to prepare for a disaster.
? Your local Emergency Response Team can assist you in locating animal-friendly shelters in case of evacuation. They will also be able to provide you with any and all requirements necessary to house animals in such a shelter. (In most cases pets will need to be crated and will need to bring copies of their immunization records).
Spend some time researching and then create a plan that will work for you and your clients' pets. Items to include in your plan:
? Maps for your sitters delineating which pets they are responsible for in case of an emergency;
? A waiver from your clients granting your company permission to transport their pets to the closest animal friendly shelter in case of evacuation;
? A waiver from your clients who do NOT want you to transport their pets in cases of disaster - letting you know that you are to leave their pets in place;
? Reminders for your clients to keep their pets' vet records taped in or near their crate. Additionally, each pet should have up to 2 weeks of food in air- tight containers and easily accessible water containers so that you can find everything when you need to move swiftly;
? An understanding with each client where they can be found if an evacuation takes place and cell phones are not operational. Many families have an agreed upon meeting place - make sure you know the 'meeting place' for each family you work with so you are able to find them when the roads become passable.
A disaster preparedness plan is certainly something you hope you never have to use, but something that you must have to be a responsible pet-care business provider. Your clients will be grateful that you've gone the extra mile to ensure the safety and well-being of their pets.
Use your plan as a marketing tool. Once you've assembled your plan, why not write an article for the local paper about effective disaster preparedness for pets? How about offering a free tip- sheet on disaster-preparedness for pets for every potential new client who subscribes to your e-zine? Or, simply post your disaster preparedness tips on your website and offer it as a free article on the web - make sure you include a great resources box that gets folks to head to your website! Finally, you can expand your disaster preparedness research to create an offer a free seminar on the topic - either in conjunction with your local shelter, police and fire department or the local school.
However you position it - once you've done the homework - make sure you are providing a benefit to the largest amount of people. They will begin to immediately associate you as an expert. And the best clients always are willing to pay more money to work with the expert!
Peggie Arvidson-Dailey, is the founder of Pet-Care Business Success University. Go here (http://www.peggiespets.com/wst_page9.html) for a copy of her free report "243 Tips for Starting a Pet-Care Business."
(c) 2005 Peggie Arvidson-Dailey. You absolutely may use this article in your e-zine or other publication as long as you keep the resource box and all links intact. Please forward a copy of your publication that contains this article.
MORE RESOURCES:
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
The Artful Dog Shopper
I am a dog lover by nature. I have just always
loved the little four legged fur balls.
Quality Dog Food Is Essential For The Health Of Dogs
Dog food is very important for the health of dogs. It is easy to overlook it, but it is essential to pick the right dog food for your pet dog.
How Intelligent is Your Dog
It is entirely normal to look for signs of intelligence in your dog. Even puppies that are not especially smart nonetheless display flashes of brilliance in their behavior.
Saving Ginger From Being Put To Sleep - Part 2
The Story Continues..
Top 5 Dog Health Problems
The most common dog problems:Dog Owner's commonly ask me the same questions repeatedly. This article aims to help dog owners prevent and find information about the most common dog health problems.
Special Gifts for Animal Lovers
Animal lovers come in all shapes and sizes. Undoubtedly if you bump into an animal lover you will find them to be friendly, loving, caring, and compassionate human beings.
The Top Ten Reasons You Can - And Should - Hold an Equine Educational Event
Boarding, Breeding, Training & Showing Stables:1. You need to fill stalls.
Tips For Toys
Toys are fun both for our dogs and us. Lucky for us there are
endless choices.
Chihuahua Training is Easy!
Chihuahua Training is Easy!
You may be wondering if Chihuahua training is easy or hard. Well, from my experience it is very easy! If you've already managed to raise a dog with behavioral problems (this is easy too!) you can correct them in a very natural way by following a few simple recommendations.
Good Dog Health and Happiness For Charlie
Our Charlie's dog health was a very important issue to us in our family. It all started when he was a puppy of course.
A Dogs Tale
My name is Shadrach, and I am a dog - a BIG, handsome, elegant, and intelligent dog. No, I am not vain at all, that is just what my mom always tells me so I assume it's true.
Understanding Your Pets Chewing Issues
If you are beginning to feel like an endangered species surrounded by the chewed up remnants of your previous existence, fear not. First of all you are not alone.
A Guide to Bird Cage Covers
As much as you love the sound of your new little bird, you probably don't want to hear it at the crack of dawn. If your feathered friend's morning song is interrupting your sleep, you might want to buy a bird cage cover.
Dog Aggression: How to Recognize & Respond
Many dog owners are bewildered when they hear their dog growl, bark, or take an aggressive stance. Unfortunately, many of these animals end up in shelters because the owners could no longer live with the dog.
Horse Training Facts And Maxims
To the uninitiated horse owner, there are timely facts about horses they should know. In fact, when someone first gets a horse these timely facts should be studied and learned.
How to Housebreak Your Dog or Puppy
Dogs are creatures of habit; and once they develop a habit, breaking it can be a long, frustrating process. Your dog needs guidance and encouragement from you to develop a toilet habit you can live with.
Dog Health Conditions and Terms You Should Know... Part 2
Cryptorchidism is peculiar to male dogs and a condition present at birth.The testicle/s, which developed in the abdomen, fail to descend into the scrotum.
Training Collars: Teaching Your Dog Basic Obedience and Breaking Bad Habits
Training CollarsTraining collars are a tool many pet owners utilize to teach their pets boundaries. There are several different types and several different options available to the consumer.
Make Your Home Cat-Safe - How To Keep Your Cat Happy and Healthy
* Lock things up that could cause harm* Keep the washer/dryer door closed at all times* Honk the car horn before starting it up* Use fire carefully* Keep all upstairs windows closed or screened* Store string away tidily* Keep floors free of small things* Be constantly aware of what your cat is doingCuriosity gets most cats in trouble at some point in their lives. As your cat's caregiver, keeping her safe sometimes seems like a "mission impossible.
Acclimating New Birds
Now that my services have expanded into the "matchmaking" business, it dawned on me that we need to talk about the transition of a bird moving to a new home, whether a hand fed baby just adopted to a new home or an older bird going to a second home. This is a stressful time for any bird, but you can help lessen the strife and make the move easier for both your new bird and the rest of the family.
|