Protecting your pets

NORFOLK, Va (WAVY) - As  you prepare for the possible impact of a hurricane,  you can keep pets safe with the following tips from United Animal Nations :

1. Bring all pets indoors. Pets left to fend for themselves in high winds and heavy rain can get injured, lost, starve and hamper human evacuation and recovery efforts. Keeping pets inside makes it easier for you to round them up if you have to evacuate.

2. Never leave pets behind. If you evacuate, take your pets with you. It’s the surest way to guarantee their safety and make sure you are not separated by the storm.

3. Identify evacuation locations in advance. Visit www.uan.org to find a list of Web sites with searchable databases of pet-friendly hotels. Homes of friends or relatives and boarding kennels out of the range of the storm’s projected path also make good evacuation locations.

4. Assemble a disaster kit for each pet that includes food, water, medications, a crate and photos of your pet(s). This kit will prove useful if roads are blocked, stores are closed or you must evacuate.

5. Make sure all pets have an identification tag and permanent microchip so they can be found if lost or separated from you.