"Al Quaida threats? Lemme at'em!!"
Posted on 03/16/2003 11:46:54 PM PST by HAL9000
WASHINGTON (AP)--Golden Labrador retrievers Molly, Allie and Gus are assured of prime care in the event of a biological or chemical attack, thanks to an emergency kit assembled by their canine-loving owner, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge.Along with taking precautionary steps to protect your family from a terrorist attack, the government says there are things that can be done to help pets survive, too.
Ridge said he assembled an emergency kit for his dogs that includes a three-day supply of water and food.
Anne Culver, director of disaster services for the Humane Society of the United States, applauded the disaster preparedness chief's own preparations.
``You don't have to be a fatalist or believe something particular is going to happen, but nobody's exempt from being prepared,'' she said.
Feeling helpless, some pet owners have flooded the society with phone calls seeking advice over the last several week after the federal government upgraded the alert level to ``orange,'' the second highest on the scale; it's now back down to yellow, or ``elevated.''
Randy Allen of Alexandria, Va., and his wife have put together an emergency plan for their two dogs, Lilly the greyhound and Sparky the Labrador. Bowls, toys, food, water, a first aid kit and dog beds are some of the items they've gathered.
``Dogs are a prime part of the family,'' Allen said. ``It's us and the dogs and we don't need anything else.''
Six in 10 U.S. households own animals, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Many of the government's recommendations are common sense: stocking up on pet food and water, making provisions for animal waste, arranging for a neighbor to look after a pet if the owner cannot get home. But in a disaster, people can forget about the obvious things, and they are being urged to take steps now.
``They should do what they do in the event of a natural disaster _ tornado, hurricane, wildfire--or hazmat (hazardous materials) spill in the neighborhood,'' Culver said. ``It doesn't have to be a huge national event for people to be prepared.''
One of the startling lessons for many pet owners after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, was the need to arrange for animal care in the owner's absence. Many had to evacuate in New York and pets were left on their own in apartments.
Pet owners are also worried about how their dogs and cats will fare during a confinement of several days. ``In some instances there just are no answers--there aren't even answers for humans on similar questions,'' Culver.
For high-strung pets, veterinarian Peter Farrell in Alexandria has sometimes prescribed sedatives.
But he said that just as he wouldn't tell people to ``pop two Valiums and bliss out'' in a disaster, he also wouldn't recommend sedatives for all pets. That question, too, should be considered in advance.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Humane Society recommend, among other tips, that people stock up on food and water, get medications for animals and have a carrier or leash for each pet in case of an evacuation.
Officials and leading animal welfare groups don't endorse the idea of gas masks for pets. In Israel, where people are worried about being attacked by Iraq, veterinarian Rafi Kishon makes masks from a stretchy fabric, designed for pets of all sizes.
Jacob Casper, coordinator of disaster services at the Maryland Agriculture Department, said he's not sure of the effectiveness of gas masks for pets. A dog regulates its heat mechanism by panting; a gas mask might prevent it from breathing normally, causing its body temperature to rise, he said.
Casper said pets are susceptible to nerve agents just as humans are, but some of the biological agents that might be used by terrorists are less of a worry.
For example, dogs and cats are at low risk from anthrax and have no risk from smallpox.
Cats are very susceptible to bubonic plague; dogs are less so.
Our little girl a Shih Tzu has her Survival pack all ready.
She even picked out Ten of her very favorite "babies": little stuffed animal toys to pack.
No need to buy extra water, as she will only drink bottled Spring Water anyway....she's got us trained!
May GOD Bless Tom Ridge and his Family...including Molly, Allie and Gus.
I know that First Doggies: Spot and Barney and the First Cat will be well taken care of too : )
After all...Their "Dad" is The President!
GOD Bless America - The Land of The Free and The Home Of The Brave!
"Al Quaida threats? Lemme at'em!!"
My dog IS my three day supply of food.
(ducking for cover)
I'm just thinking what a few days in such a tight space will be like without being able to change the cat litter.
And here I am stuck with a stringy halfbreed Siamese.
Tip #2: A well placed canary can give you and your family advance warning of a gas attack and their cheery morning song can help beat the Bunker Blues. No singing in the morning, survivalists take warning.
Tip #3: Got milk? Take a break from all that duct-taping for a refreshing gulp of kitty milk. Warm or chilled it tastes great. I like mine straight from the source, but others may choose home pasteurization.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.