Teaming Up in the Name of Pet Safety

Posted on October 10, 2012 by semtourofduty

The American Red Cross and the Michigan State Animal Response Team (MI-SART) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Monday, which provides the framework for the cooperation between the two organizations in preparing for, responding to and recovering from disasters that involve Michigan residents and their animals.  This gives the Red Cross and MI-SART an opportunity to coordinate plans during a disaster response and assess the need to open designated, pet assessable emergency shelters.  This will also clarify the roles of each organization when rendering assistance to victims of disaster and their companion animals.

“MI SART is here to makes sure owners get healthy and happy pets back in the event of a disaster,” said State Veterinarian Steven Halstead.“Knowing qualified and caring people are taking care of your pets helps a family cope in stressful situations.”  

“When a disaster strikes and families are affected, this often includes the family pet.   We want to make sure that together with MI-SART, we can provide necessary assistance to you and your family as well as assistance and shelter for your pets,” said Dave Gutierrez, American Red Cross, State Disaster Officer for Ohio and Michigan.

The American Red Cross will manage staff and operate general population shelters for individuals affected by disasters.  MI-SART will manage staff and manage separate co-located animal shelters.  A Co-located pet/human shelter is possible when a facility has a separate building with a separate ventilation systems and entrance.  Additionally, MI-SART will maintain and accept responsibility for the portion of the facility used for the co-located pet shelter.

Representatives from the Red Cross and MI-SART

 

About the Michigan State Animal Response Team:

MI-SART is an interagency, coordinated effort dedicated to preparing, planning, responding and recovering during animal emergencies in Michigan.  The mission is to develop and implement procedures and train and credential participants to facilitate a safe, environmentally sound and efficient response to animal emergencies on the local, county, state and federal level.  The team is organized and operates under the auspices of the Michigan Emergency Management Plan (MEMP) Animal Care Support Plan utilizing the principles of the Incident Command System (ICS).  Operating on the state level in Lansing, Michigan, MI-SART also promotes and supports the implementation of Community/County Animal Response Teams (CART) across the state. Visit the MI-SART Website to join or donate:
http://www.michigansart.org/

Filed under: Disaster, Emergency Preparedness, Health and Safety, MI-SART, pet safety, Preparedness, Southeastern Michigan Chapter | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

An App Like No Other

Posted on July 11, 2012 by semtourofduty

About a week ago I was talking with a friend who has five children under the age of 10.  She and her family are very busy, on the move and someone is “always getting hurt” says Kristen, mother.

I told her about the new First Aid App from the American Red Cross.  She has an iphone and immediately downloaded the App.  It was quick and easy to find through the itunes store.

Yesterday I bumped into her at the pool and she couldn’t stop talking about the App and how great it was.  She said the other day her youngest son was very hot and she wasn’t quite sure if he was suffering from heat stroke.  She yelled to her oldest daughter to grab her phone and open the App.  She did and read though the symptoms and steps to help a person suffering from heat stroke. The steps even include a 911 call button.   She said it was great and now she feels prepared to handle situations if they arise with this  App on her iphone.  “It makes me feel a little better knowing that I have information like that at my finger tips and can help my kids.”

Download this App today!

Available for iPhone and Android devices

~ Red Cross Staff Member

Filed under: Emergency Preparedness, Fire, Learn, National American Red Cross, News, pet safety, Pool Safety, Preparedness, Safety Tips, Southeastern Michigan Chapter, Spa Safety, Swimming, Tips, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Toby is thankful for his family

Posted on April 2, 2012 by semtourofduty

April Is Pet First Aid Awareness Month!

Toby is a good, family dog.  His owners love him and don’t know what life would be like without him.  He is a part of their family.  Toby’s owners feed him good food, give him lots of love, a nice warm bed and great walks in the park.  Toby is super healthy and loves to play in the sun.

But, in the summer, in an instant, Toby can be affected by one of the most common problems that a dog can face…heat stroke, especially when they are not used to the warmer temperatures yet.

Pet owners should remember that the inside of a car can quickly reach 120 degrees in warm weather and should not leave their animals in the car, even during short trips. This can quickly lead to heat stroke. The signs of heat stroke include:

  • Heavy panting and being unable to calm down, even when lying down.
  • The pet’s gums may be brick red, they may have a fast pulse rate, or they may not be able to get up.

If someone suspects their pet has heat stroke, they should take the pet’s temperature rectally. If the temperature is above 105 degrees Fahrenheit, they should cool the animal down. The easiest way to do this is by using the water hose. Stop cooling the animal when the temperature reaches 103 degrees. Bring the pet to the veterinarian immediately as heat stroke can lead to severe organ dysfunction and damage.

PET FIRST AID
Courses are available at many Red Cross chapters on how to care for your pet. The Red Cross has also developed Dog First Aid and Cat First Aid Guides with DVDs that teach basic responsibilities like spaying/neutering and giving medications, to performing CPR and preparing for disasters. VisitRedcross.org/training or call 1-800 RED CROSS to see when classes are available. The Guides are available through the Red Cross Store.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR PET HEALTHY
Pet owners can follow these important steps to help keep their pet healthy:

  • Give pets plenty of exercise.
  • Make sure they have plenty of fresh, cool water.
  • Make sure they get regular yearly checkups with their veterinarian, and are up to date on vaccines, especially rabies.
  • Get pets spayed or neutered.
  • Keep dogs on leashes outside – another animal may be too much temptation
  • Know how to perform CPR and provide basic first aid until veterinary care is available

EMERGENCIES AND YOUR PET
Don’t forget to include pets in planning for emergencies in your home or neighborhood:

  • Make plans to take your pets with you if you have to evacuate.
  • Most Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets because of health and safety concerns and other considerations. Know which friends, relatives, hotels, boarding facilities will accept pets in an emergency.
  • Assemble an easy-to-carry kit with emergency supplies for pets:
    • Leashes, harnesses and/or carriers
    • Food, drinking water, bowls, manual can opener
    • Medications and copies of medical records
    • Current photos of the pets

Pet First Aid Awareness Month is a great time for people to learn how to protect their pet and keep them healthy. More information on how to keep pets in good health are located on the Red Cross Pets and Disaster Safety Checklist.

Toby’s family has decided to educate themselves in Pet First Aid and now Toby feels relaxed and cool knowing that they can take care of him in an instant.

Filed under: Emergency Preparedness, pet safety, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Hot Weather Dictates Extra Attention for Pets

Posted on July 7, 2011 by semtourofduty

Summer arrived with high temps and humidity, and the mercury is likely to keep rising. As the weather gets warmer, certain dangers for your pets become more prevalent. The American Red Cross has steps pet owners can use to keep family pets safe and healthy this summer.

The first step is to know what is normal for your pet – their gum color, heart/pulse rate, body temperature and breathing rate – so you can recognize when something is wrong.

Heat stroke is a common problem for pets in the warmer weather, according to Dr. Deborah Mandell, VMD, DACVECC, pet care advisor for the Red Cross. She explained that heat stroke is more common in the early summer because pets are not yet acclimated to the warm weather. Dogs with short noses or snouts, like the boxer or bulldog, are prone to heat stroke. This is also true for any obese pet, a pet with an extremely thick fur coat or any pet with upper respiratory problems such as laryngeal paralysis or collapsing trachea.

“Animals love to play and may not stop playing, even if they are becoming overheated,” said Dr. Mandell, who is also affiliated with the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Some signs your pet may be developing heat stroke include heavy panting, and being unable to calm down, even when lying down. Their gum color may be brick red, their pulse rate may be fast, or they may not be able to get up. If you suspect your pet has heat stroke, take their temperature rectally.  If the temperature is above 105 degrees cool the animal down. The easiest way to do this is by using the water hose. Stop cooling the animal when the temperature reaches 103 degrees. Bring your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible as heat stroke can lead to severe organ dysfunction and damage.

Sunny days seem like great opportunities to take your pet for a fun car ride. Dr. Mandell issued a reminder not to leave your pet in the car, even for a few minutes. “The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees,” she said. “It’s just not a good idea to leave the pet in the car, even with the windows cracked open.”

Pet owners also need to be aware that animals may try to get out of a window or door, which are more likely to be open as the weather warms. And some plants in your garden can be hazardous to animals. For instance, many lilies are very poisonous to cats.  Visit the ASPCA Poison Control web site to find out which plants and flowers are poisonous to animals.

Your pet is part of the family and deserves to be cared for and protected. Follow these important steps to help keep your pet at their best:

  • Give your pet plenty of exercise.  Regular exercise will help your pet feel better and live longer.
  • Make sure your pet has plenty of fresh, cool water.
  • Get to know a veterinarian and make sure your pet has yearly checkups.
  • Make sure your pet is up to date on vaccines, especially rabies.
  • Get your pet spayed or neutered.
  • Keep dogs on leashes outside – another animal may be too much temptation.
  • Know how to perform CPR and provide basic first aid until veterinary care is available.

Animals can’t tell you when they aren’t feeling well. Many hide signs of illness until a problem is very advanced. Knowing what is normal for your pet and being able to recognize changes early, can make a huge difference in treatment success.

Don’t forget to include your pets in emergency action plans as well:

  • Emergency action plans for your family should include all of your animals.
  • Plan to take your pets with you in an evacuation. If it is not safe for you to stay, it is not safe for them either.
  • Most Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets because of health and safety concerns and other considerations. Know which friends, relatives, hotels, boarding facilities accept pets in an emergency.
  • Assemble a portable kit with emergency supplies for your pets:
    • Leashes, harnesses and/or carriers
    • Food, drinking water, bowls, manual can opener
    • Medications and copies of medical records
    • Current photos of your pets and of you with your pets

Additional tips can be found on our Pets and Disaster Safety Checklist. Pet First Aid courses are offered at many Red Cross chapters across the country. The Red Cross has also developed Dog First Aid and Cat First Aid, comprehensive guides with DVDs to help your keep pets healthy and safe. From basic responsibilities, like spaying/neutering and giving medications, to performing CPR and preparing for disasters, these guides offer information pet owners can trust. Contact your local chapter to see when classes are available or to purchase guide books. Products can also be purchased online at the Red Cross Store.

Filed under: Donate, Emergency Preparedness, Learn, National American Red Cross, News, pet safety, Preparedness, Safety Tips, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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