In this day and age, we like to think that we are prepared for emergencies. Or maybe, your New Year’s resolution is to actually develop a plan for emergency situations. So you jot down a will on a paper napkin at happy hour…..or at least a living will to make sure that someone will “pull the plug” if it becomes necessary; however, I recently encountered a situation that really got my attention….you know, it totally smacked me on the forehead, and said, “Hello!!! Have you made an emergency plan for your pets?”.
The situation involved someone with multiple pets (birds, cats and dogs) who suffered a medical crisis and could no longer care for her pets, possibly for the rest of her life. So what happened to all of the animals? Some of the pets were rehomed by efforts of good friends, but not all of the pets survived. Everything about the situation was just tragic and heartbreaking.
My husband and I are complete and total animal lovers, and no offense to my awesome husband, but our 3 hounds make my life complete. Having pets is a major responsibility, and I consider it a huge privilege to be their companion and guardian on this earth, including the crossing of Rainbow Bridge. Another piece of this responsibility is to make a plan for your pets should, God forbid, something should happen to you. Some may have friends and/or relatives that would take their furry children should something happen, God forbid. I have long given up the idea that our relatives and/or friends will step up and take our pets and provide the same kind of loving nurturing care that my furbabies have become accustomed. Not everyone is crazy about really large and really drooly hounds….really, hard to fathom that, but yes, it’s true. Additionally, I am pretty sure that most of our family and friends actually have real lives and don’t completely plan their lives around their four-legged children.
So after researching this subject on the internet, I found that a really comprehensive plan should include:
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detailed page with critical information (contacts, personality, medical info, etc…) and a picture of your dawg. If your furbaby is on medication, it is a good idea to have several of the pills attached to the plan. You are welcome to use the template I’ve included.
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card in your wallet/purse stating that you have pets and the contact info
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sticker outside your front door that says you have pets inside
Oh, and another critical detail. Don’t put down someone’s name as the contact until you have spoken with them, and they’ve agreed to take on this responsibility.
In closing, be the kind of person your dawg, or other pet, thinks you are and put a solid plan in place for their care should, God forbid, your family have a life-changing emergency situation.