Continuing my “what to do in case of a disaster” series, in which the information was gathered and put together by Beth Fasnacht of Pet Watch, Inc. during our monthly meeting with Georgia Network of Professional Pet Sitters, here is an example of what to put in your pet’s first aid kit.

Here is what you’ll need:

• Durable waterproof case
• An informative First Aid guide
• A cold pack
• 6 to 8 cotton tipped applicators
• Eye irrigate
• Gauze pads
• Antibiotic ointment
• Petroleum jelly
• Flexible bandages that adhere to themselves (and not to your pet’s hair)
• Syringe
• Iodine ointment
• Scissors
• Adhesive tape
• Rectal thermometer
• Tweezers
• Gloves

For Birds: First Aid Kids Would Have:

• Stainless steel hemostatic
• Antiseptic wipes and swabs
• Forceps
• Cohesive bandage
• A curved tip syringe
• Sterile gauze
• Styptic powder

For more information, visit the Humane Society of the United States or call the American Red Cross. All agencies will be happy to help you at any time. Be sure to check out all the websites on Disaster Planning for Pets. There is a wealth of information to use. Here is a list of a few of these websites:

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.
– Charles Darwin