Jamie Wolf of HealthyDogsUSA.com Recommends Creating a Doggie Duffle Survival Bag this Hurricane Season

Boca Raton, FL – May 24^th, 2007 – With hurricane season just weeks away and forecasters predicting 7-10 hurricanes, it is time for dog owners to start thinking about ways to keep their dogs safe in the case of disasters and emergency evacuations.  Jamie Wolf of www.HealthyDogsUSA.com offers tips for creating a Doggie Duffle Survival Bag that will incorporate everything you dog needs for one week of safety if you are forced to evacuate.

“Planning ahead is the key.  You can assure safety for your animal by being proactive and being prepared.  I have found that if you prepare for one week and have everything in one easy to get at place, then you are giving yourself and your animal the right tools for evacuating safely and without worry about your pet’s health,” says Wolf.

The Doggie Duffle Survival Bag

For every animal, you will want to have a survival and safety bag.  These should be prepared well in advance of a hurricane.  Try using a mid-sized duffle bag to store these items so you aren’t scrambling for something when disaster strikes. 

Recommended items for Doggie Duffle Survival Bag:

-A one week’s supply of food.  Buy it next time you purchase dog food and keep it in your Doggie Backpack Survival Kit.  If there is no disaster, rotate the food every two to three months.  I offer and recommend Life’s Abundance Holistic Pet Food which is available on www.HealthyDogsUSA.com, because it has a zip lock plastic bag which will assure your dog food doesn’t get wet.  Plan on 5 pounds for small dogs and twenty pounds of food for large dogs.

- Include disposable dog waste bags.  Plan on 15-20 of these.

- Include cleaning supplies.  You can use powdered dish washing soap in a plastic bag for washing your dog’s food and water bowls.  Also include a small can if disinfectant spray for cleaning your dog’s traveling crate.

-Add an extra dog tag and collar to your duffle.  Be sure it is one on which you can write as you may be living temporarily during evacuation or even moving around.  You’ll want to be able to write down the address of where you are because you may not be able to get to where you thought you were going.

-You will need a small first aid kit.  Be sure the kit has iodine, peroxide, antiseptic wipes, cotton-tips, gauze, eye wash, latex gloves, cold pack and Benadryl in case of allergic reaction and you can’t get to a store.

-You’ll want to include a one week supply of your pet’s medications.  Check with your vet to find out if they have a shelf life and if you’ll need to rotate them from your duffle throughout the hurricane season.  Pack the medications by themselves as you won’t want to be sorting through your First Aid Kit everyday to find them.

-Include all the phone numbers and documents you might need and store them in a waterproof bag.  Include your local vet’s number, the number of more than one vet in the area you plan to evacuate to, pictures of both you and your pet together, a copy of your dog’s vet records, copy of rabies certificate with current license tag numbers, tattoo number or microchip number.

-Food and Water dishes.  Buy smaller ones that are not connected.  While your dog may eat quietly at home, this will be a stressful period for them and they may end up making a mess if the bowls are connected.

-Add your pet sedative if you choose to use one.  I always advise that dog owners don’t medicate their pet during a disaster or overly stressful situation unless they know how their dog will react.  I use homeopathic remedies and even with those I test them out beforehand so I can watch my dog’s reaction.

-Doggie Toys.  Use toys that your dog is used to, that he has played with before.  If your dog has a favorite blanket, add that as well.

-Include an extra leash and a harness.  Your dog will most likely be highly stressed during the disaster and a jumpy dog can squirm out of a collar, but not a harness.

These are the most important items in your Doggie Duffle Survival Bag.  You will need to think about two additional things well.  First, you definitely need water.  I recommend using collapsible water bags with handles.  Get them ready now and keep them in a cool, dark place for freshness.  You’ll want to rotate the water every three to four weeks.

Second, whether you like them or not, you must have a dog carrier for your dog.  They are far safer in a carrier than in your arms or in your car.  Put an identification sticker on the carrier and throw a couple of your dog’s preferred toys in there as well.  Also, add a pillowcase you have used as your scent will help calm your dog.

In addition to www.HealthyDogsUSA.com, Jamie Wolf also operates a 501(c)3 rescue called Rescue Rehab Home (RRH).  She says that after Katrina RRH was the first rescue to go up the Gulf coast.  Her team rescued 24 abandoned dogs and has since rehabbed and placed them all in loving homes.  Jamie hopes that by making a Doggie Duffle Survival Bag, fewer people will have to lose their pet during this hurricane season.

Jamie also offers pet owners the opportunity to tune into a free national weekly conference call conducted by renowned holistic veterinarian, Dr. Jane Bicks.  You can find out how to join the free conference call on www.HealthyDogsUSA.com.

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David Muise
Full Spectrum Media

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