BE READY FOR DISASTERS & EMERGENCIES

When it comes to natural disasters, we Marylanders are pretty lucky. We're not prone to earthquakes, annual floods, or twisters, and hurricane hits are rare. But with disasters, natural or man-made, there are no guarantees.

We are at risk for the occasional severe storm or tornado, flooding caused by hurricanes, toxic spills caused by train or truck accidents, fires – and let's not forget the new anxieties brought on by the ever-present risk of terrorist incidents.

If you're a pet owner, have you thought about how you'd keep your animals safe in case you had to evacuate your home? If you haven't, the Humane Society of the United States has

. Here are some top HSUS tips:

· If disaster strikes and you have to leave home, take your pets with you, even if you think you may only be gone for a few hours. There's really no way to tell how soon you'll return, and pets can't survive for long on their own.

· Better to leave early and find out you didn't have to, than to wait until the last minute and find you can't leave safely with your pet.

· Be ready. Make sure there's a current ID tag on your dog or cat's collar. Prepare an emergency pet-survival kit in advance, preferably packed in a watertight tote or container, so you can leave at a moment's notice.

Here's what you'll need:

an appropriate leash, harness, pet carrier, or cage (depending on the type of animal) to keep your pet securely with you;

a week's worth of food and water, and a bowl; a can opener, if your pet eats canned food;

any medications your pet takes, along with medical records; pet beds and toys, if possible;

litter and a litter pan for cats; current photos of your pets in case they get lost;

and your veterinarian's name and phone number.

Know where you're going.

Most emergency shelters cannot accept pets because of health regulations. Find out in advance if friends, family, humane societies, boarding kennels or veterinarians are able to give your pet temporary shelter in emergencies.

Put important phone numbers in your emergency kit.

· Find out if there are hotels and motels outside your immediate area which allow pets. Ask others if they're willing to waive no-pet policies in an emergency.

· Birds, small mammals and reptiles should be transported in their cages or secure carriers. Snakes can be transported in a pillowcase but should be transferred to more secure housing as soon as you reach your destination. Take whatever food, bowls and supplies you need.

· If you don't or can't evacuate, keep your pets with you in a secure part of your home. Have them on leashes, or in their cages or carriers to keep them from escaping.

· In case you aren't home when evacuation orders are issued, see if a trusted neighbor would be willing to get your pets and meet you at a prearranged location.

To find out more, go to the Humane Society of the United States website at www.hsus.org, where you can download their brochures on disaster preparedness.

Or you can write for information to HSUS, 2100 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 (include a business-size self-addressed stamped envelope).