Healthy New Jersey

New Jersey Animal Emergency

Birds

What Do I Do Before a Disaster?

Our birds rely on us for their safety.  This is especially true during an emergency.  The key to a successful evacuation is to plan ahead.

**If You Need to Evacuate Without Your Pet**

Plan

Plan for different types of emergencies.

Ask a dependable neighbor or friend living nearby to take care of your dog in case disaster strikes and you cannot get back to your dwelling. He/she should have access to your house, know where your "Go Bag" is located and be familiar with your pets hiding places.

Have a dependable neighbor or friend that lives outside of your general area that will be willing to take care of your dog if you need to evacuate your town, city or county.

Contact hotels and motels in your surrounding area to see if your dog can stay with you in a room during an emergency.  A list of websites of Pet-Friendly Hotels.

Have a list of veterinarians, boarding facilities/kennels, or local animal shelter will take care of your dog in an emergency.

Prepare

  • Prepare a "Go Bag" for your dog and keep it in an easy accessible place (by the door or in a closet).
  • Fill out "My Pet Vital Information" form and place it in your "Go Bag."
  • Have a carrier for each of your birds, if needed. The carrier should be lined with paper or a cage liner. Attach your bird's name, your name and contact information and your veterinarians' name and number to the side or bottom of the carrier in a plastic bag or a clear document holder. Keep your Go Bag, as well as a carrier, by the door or in an easily accessible place like a closet.
  • Become familiar with local evacuation routes.
  • Establish a means of identifying your bird such as a microchip or leg band, for example.

Act

  • Practice placing your bird in a carrier, if one is needed. Use the same carrier for veterinary visits or other travel trips.
  • Take your dog and "Go Bag" with you in an emergency.

Graphic of Flames Fires can be especially dangerous for birds

Fires are especially dangerous for birds because of their delicate respiratory system and the heavy smoke and ash in the air.   If you need to evacuate in a fire and are worried about your bird having breathing problems, place a damp sheet over its carrier or cage so that some of the soot and dust will be captured in the sheet.  Heat, dehydration and smoke from a fire could be harmful to your bird.  If you think that your bird is suffering from being exposed to the after effects of fires, seek veterinary attention.

What Do I Do During a Disaster?

What Do I Do After a Disaster?


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