Georgia on my mind...

Which of course brings Ray Charles to mind.  Good stuff, huh?

Georgia is on my mind because today through the end of the week, we have a very high chance of thunderstorms.  I'm glad for the rain, but along with it comes the possibility of severe weather conditions such as heavy rain, high winds and lightning.

John and I moved to Acworth from Orlando, Florida in 2006.  We were glad to get out of hurricane central, especially having experienced a direct hit from Hurricane Charley on August 13, 2004. We rode out the storm in our master bedroom closet - 'we' being John, our Rottweiler Katie, our first greyhound Condor, our cat Ernie and me.  We were very fortunate, because we were woefully unprepared.  Just a few weeks later, another hurricane was forecast to affect our area as well, and it sent us packing.  We drove two cars through the night to John's parents' home in the Panhandle, and stayed there - with all of our furkids - for a week until the risk was over. 

Hurricanes are of little to no threat to us here in north Georgia, but tornadoes are.  We've had a few close calls at home that have sent us scurrying to the basement with all of our animals in tow - Flex, Taylor, Maddox and Chipmunk (our four greyhounds) and Coleman The Cat.  I've had one close call as a pet sitter, during which I spent some time in a client's basement bathtub with two cocker spaniels.  I chuckle now thinking about it, but it wasn't very funny at the time.

We should all have a disaster preparedness plan that includes our animal companions.

Hurricane Katrina led to the passage of the PETS Act of 2006, which requires states seeking FEMA assistance to accommodate pets and service animals in their plans for evacuating residents facing disasters.  That was certainly a step in the right direction, but the protection of our animal family members is ultimately up to us.

You should have -

• a plan in place for transporting your pets if evacuation is necessary.  For us, that means we will take both of our vehicles to accommodate our four dogs and cat.
• an idea of where to go and stay.  Perhaps that means friends' or family members' residences located outside of the affected area.  It could also mean staying at pet-friendly lodging.
• copies of your pets' vaccination records and information for their care, including medications, diet and health history.  These documents should be stored in a waterproof container and kept in a easily accessed area.
• leashes and collars *with ID* in a readily available location in your home.  Hopefully, all of your furry family members wear collars with ID at all times.
• at least a one-week supply of food, water and medications.
• a pet first aid kit.
• knowledge of your area and familiarity with emergency resources.

Looking at this list tells me I have some work to do, and it may do the same for you.  

Here's to a safe and uneventful storm season for all of us, and to having the peace of mind that comes with proper planning.