By Melissa Gable
Public Information Officer
Maricopa County Animal Care and Control
September is National Disaster Preparedness month and Maricopa County Animal Care & Control (MCACC) is urging pet owners to prepare now in case of an emergency. Natural disasters, house fires, gas leaks and police situations may require pet owners to leave their home and/or neighborhood for an extended period of time. MCACC suggests pet owners prepare an emergency Pet Survival Kit for each of their four-legged family members.
A Pet Survival Kit should contain basic supplies a pet would need if away from home. Kits should be clearly labeled and easy to carry; all family members should know where the kit is kept (preferably near an exit).
Suggested items for a Pet Survival Kit:
• pet food (5-7 days worth) • bottled water (5-7 days worth)
• any prescribed medications for your pet (two week supply)
• litter box/litter (cat owners); plastic trash bags, paper towels
• blanket and toys
• pet first aid kit • copies of pet’s medical records
• current photo of pet
• carrier and/or extra leash and collar
If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to evacuate, always take your pet with you! Many shelters may not allow animals so prepare a list of family or friends that may be willing to care for your animals while you are out of your home. Make sure these people are not in your immediate area (they may need to evacuate, too). Planning in advance can make all the difference during a stressful time!
HIKING SAFETY AND INFORMATION
Hiking season is rapidly approaching and you may be eager to hit the trail with your dog. Maricopa County Animal Care & Control (MCACC) wants to ensure dog owners understand proper trail etiquette for their four-legged hiking partner. First and foremost, before you head out make sure the trail you are hiking allows dogs. All dogs should be on leash. Maricopa County has a leash law that prohibits dogs from running at large. When hiking, dogs must be on a leash no longer than six feet in length. Once on the trail, be sure to move to the side and let other hikers pass. It may be hard to believe, but not everyone enjoys dogs, being sniffed or jumped on. Bring plenty of bags and clean up after your pet. Don’t force your dog to hike further than he can. Like us, dogs must be conditioned to exercise. Start slowly and work your way up to longer hikes. During your hike make a practice of checking the pads of your dog’s feet. Ensure that they are free of thorns or other objects and that they are not worn or cut from the path.
Don’t let your dog chase wildlife. It could be dangerous for your dog and stressful to the animal that is being chased. To avoid an encounter with a rattlesnake, be sure to steer clear of narrow trails that are bordered with bushes. And veterinarians state that most rattlesnake bites occur when a dog is on a flexi-lead or leash longer than six feet in length.
Don’t have a four-legged hiking companion? Consider attending one of MCACC’s Wag & Walk Adoption Hikes. The program, which was started in 2013, is a partnership between Maricopa County’s Animal Care & Control and Parks & Recreation departments. The program kicks off on Saturday, October 4th and takes place on the first Saturday of every month through April 2015.
The Wag & Walk adoption hikes take place at Usery Mountain Regional Park in Mesa and are designed to provide hikers the opportunity to meet potential canine hiking companions while enjoying one of the county’s most beautiful parks. The one-mile trek takes participants on a wide, barrier-free path along Usery Mountain’s Merkle Trail.
MCACC staff and volunteers attend the event with adoptable dogs in search of loving homes. And while not all dogs get adopted at the hike, the program is truly designed to allow shelter animals an opportunity to spend time away from the shelter. In addition to adoptable dogs, the Wag & Walk Adoption Hike also features safety tips and other information for dog owners.
Friendly leashed dogs are invited to attend the Wag & Walk hikes, but must be at least six months of age and current on their vaccinations. Dog owners are asked to bring water, bowl and bags to pick up after their pet. There is a $6 per vehicle park entry fee.
If you’d like to help shelter dogs by taking them on hikes and other day outings, consider becoming a MCACC Day Foster volunteer. For a list of upcoming orientations, please visit www.maricopa.gov/pets.
