Pets

How to keep your pets safe when winter flood waters starts to rise

Advice from PDSA, the vet charity for pets in need

USUALLY, minor flooding causes little-to-no disruption and often clears after a day or so. However, if you live in an area prone to flooding or if it rains a lot more than usual, it can cause a lot of disruption and danger for you, your family, and your pets.

Without a doubt, our precious pets are part of the family, and the thought of losing them or leaving them behind in an emergency is unthinkable.

However, by being prepared and taking the time to understand what you should (and shouldn’t!) do, you can ensure your family’s and your pets’ safety if you are faced with severe flooding.

How to prepare for floods

Though wintertime is usually when most floods occur, it’s important to know that they can happen at any time of the year.

If you live in an area prone to flooding (e.g. near a river, a large lake, or the sea), you should always keep a close eye on weather warnings so you can act fast.

Stay alert

According to the Environment Agency, 5.9 million properties (or 1 in 6 homes) across England are at risk of flooding – find out if your home is one of them.

Sign up to receive flood warnings – you can choose to be notified through a telephone call, a text message or an email.

Visit the MET Office or Environment Agency website for the latest information on the weather or any warnings in your area. Keep up to date with local news and weather reports.

Remember, floodwater rises rapidly. If there is a flood warning in your immediate area, don’t just hope for the best – act early.

Credit: Kelsey Mirehouse/Unsplash

Be prepared

Make sure your pets are microchipped and the contact details registered on the chip are up to date. Should you and your pet separate, having the correct contact details means you are more likely to be reunited.

Keep a bag of emergency pet supplies, including a week’s worth of sealed pet food, water, collapsible food bowls, poo bags, bedding, lead, medication and proof of vaccinations.

Create an emergency flood plan with a planned escape route, and keep your emergency supplies in one place for easy access. Always have a pet carrier for your cat or small pets in your home and ensure they are desensitised to being in one. Never leave pets unattended inside a carrier in a flooding situation.

If you live in a high-risk area, consider getting life jackets for yourself, your family members and your pets.

Make sure your pet insurance is up to date and you have your vet’s contact details to hand in case your pet needs veterinary care. Check your home insurance policy to see if you’re covered for the cost of pet accommodation if damage to the home means you cannot stay there.

Put important documents (e.g. microchip paperwork, vet details, insurance policies) in a sealed waterproof bag, along with a photo of your pet in case they get lost. Know what pet sitters or boarding kennels are available locally should you need to find temporary accommodation for your pets.

Remember, floodwater is often contaminated and could harm your pet if swallowed. Dog vaccinations protect against Leptospirosis, a disease caused by bacteria found in and around water (including floodwater) that can be fatal.

Check that your dog is up to date with all vaccinations.

Staying safe during a flood

If there is flooding in your area, here are a few things to remember to keep your pet safe:

● If any flood water comes into your home (or is likely to), bring pets that live outdoors inside and shut your pets in a room upstairs with access to plenty of food and fresh water. ● Don’t take your dog outside until it’s safe to do so. For their safety, you should also keep them well away from any flood water as hidden objects within the water could injure them. ● Prevent cats from becoming stranded, lost or injured as a result of rising flood water by

keeping them indoors with access to a litter tray. ● Try to ensure different species of pets are kept separate from each other because they are naturally territorial.

What to do if you have to leave your home

If your home is at risk of flooding, you may need to leave quickly. Here’s what to do if you’re told to evacuate:

● If possible, find somewhere to stay (e.g. at a friend or relative’s house) that is on higher ground. ● Take your pets and their emergency supplies with you and check your dog has a collar and ID tag on before you leave. ● Be aware that your insurance company may move you into temporary accommodation and it might not be possible for your pets to stay with you. In this instance, be prepared to use a boarding kennel or pet sitter. ● If you are unable to leave your home in time, stay in an upstairs room with your pets. ● You may have no choice but to leave your pets behind. No one wants to do this, but it’s important to follow advice from the emergency services. ● You should leave your pets in a safe room upstairs with plenty of food and water, and put a notice on your door or windows to let the emergency services know there are pets inside. ● Once you’re safe, contact the

RSPCA or a local flood warden to tell them there are animals in your home that need rescuing. The RSPCA is part of Defra’s National Flood

Response Team and has

Animal Rescue teams who are trained and ready to help with any animals in need during adverse weather.

Pets Bouncy beagles and springy spaniels among dogs looking for new homes

JESS Breed: Beagle Cross Age: 6

Jess’ ideal home would be adult only; however, this could be lowered slightly dependant on experience and confidence of any younger adults in the home.

Jess has shown guarding behaviours around items of high value such as toys and food. It’s important that Jess doesn’t have access to the kitchen in her new home as she will counter surf and steal food items!

Jess can find some people quite scary therefore will be required to stay on lead and wear her muzzle out on walks. She will also need her own room where she can go to relax when visitors come round.

Jess does need to be the only pet in the home.

A home with secure, lockable doors is essential. She will also require her own, secure garden. Jess’s new home should be in a quiet area away from roads.

CHESTER Breed: Spaniel Age: 8+

Chester would be quite happy with a companion to enjoy the outdoors, tasty meals and a comfy bed. Because of this he would suit a home where there are leaving hours in the day.

His new home will need an outdoor kennel or a room of his own that has direct access into the garden, in a single person household but he could potentially live with a maximum of two people.

He is pretty aloof so will need to be the only dog in the home. He isn’t suitable to live with cats or small furries.

For more details about all of the dogs featured, log on to www.dogstrust.org.uk, or contact the Salisbury Dogs Trust centre on 0303 003 0000

AITCH Breed: Amercian Bulldog Age: 3

Aitch is full of character!

He is a large, bouncy boy who has shown some grabby behaviours.

For this reason he would best suit an adult only home.

He would love patient owners who can be around to help him settle into his new home.

He would prefer to be the only pet in the home but can potentially have some tolerant walking friends!

At the centre Aitch has taken a keen interest in his training so would enjoy and benefit from continuing this with his new family.

DIESEL Breed: Italian Corso Age: 10 months

Bouncy Diesel is an excitable Cane Corso.

He can be a little worried by new people but with a tasty treat or two he’ll soon be your best friend!

Diesel can live with teenagers aged 16 and above.

He will need to be the only pet in the home but would benefit from continued socialisation with doggy friends on walks. Diesel can be very bouncy and clumsy when meeting other dogs! He does prefer walking in quieter areas away from too much hustle and bustle.

Companions at Peace Pet Cremation

Independent family run business offering a very personal, caring pet cremation service to bereaved pet owners. Collection Service Farewell Room Out of Hours Service provided Located in a rural countryside setting on the Somerset Dorset border Contact us on: 07900 654 440 www.companionsatpeace.co.uk

MID DORSET CATS PROTECTION

Loving homes needed for cats and kittens in our care.

For more details, please call our helpline 01258 858644 or visit our website: cats.org.uk/blandford