Disaster Preparedness

It's been a while since we last posted. A lot to write so we can catch everyone up.

Since the last entry, I've become a member of MCART, the Montgomery County Animal Response Team. MCART is a volunteer group that is part of the State Animal Response Team (SART). You can find more information on the MCART Blog http://montcoanimalresponseteam.blogspot.com/ or go to http://pasart.us/.

The Emergency Management Operations calls MCART's team to action for disasters involving animals. The team works to set up a shelter for the animals close to the Red Cross human shelter. This allows pet owners to visit and help care for their animals. The pet shelter helps to identifies the owner, cares for the pets during the process, and makes sure the pets are safe and local so owners may visit. During times of stress, it is good for both the pet owners and the animals to have as much consistency as possible.

The MCART Team is currently working to provide educational information to the public and local emergency management organizations. Pet shelter sites have been identified, procedures to use during an evacuation, an emergency plan that includes your pets. As a responsible pet owner you need to assemble an animal emergency supply kit and develop a pet care buddy system. You can find information on http://pasart.us/ that can give you direction.