NAPPS Provides Advice to Pet Parents in Tsunami-Threatened Regions

Disaster Preparation is Essential for Pet Safety

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., March 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Natural disasters often leave a path of devastation, and the recent tsunami threats in California, Hawaii and Alaska underlines the importance of preparedness for these potentially life-changing events. The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), a national non-profit dedicated to promoting the welfare of animals, is offering advice for pet parents facing the hazards associated with flooding and evacuation.

"Floods pose extreme danger for household pets," states John D'Ariano, President of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS). "It's essential for pet parents to anticipate their pets' needs during evacuations. The key to safety is preparedness."

Preparing for evacuation typically includes stockpiling and replenishing emergency supplies, planning evacuation routes, and ensuring equipment and vehicles are in proper working condition.

To protect pets in tsunami-stricken areas, NAPPS recommends the following actions:

• Ensure pets are properly identified — keep a collar and identification tag on pets at all times.
• Make sure you have a way to keep pets safely confined if you have evacuated and are living in a temporary setting.
• When storing drinking water for your household, include enough water for pets.
• Even if you are not sure where to take your animals, do not leave them behind unless it would compromise your safety.
• If you must leave a pet behind, ensure it always has an escape route. Never tie an animal up if floods are pending.
• If your car stalls while in flowing water, abandon it immediately, taking with you any animals (unless it would compromise your safety.) Cars may only serve as traps in the face of a raging flood.

NAPPS provides a comprehensive guide to disaster preparation for pet parents at its website: www.petsitters.org/cfincludes/MemberCenter/pdfs/DPPetOwner.pdf.

About NAPPS: NAPPS is a national non-profit trade association dedicated to promoting the welfare of animals. The Association aims to help the pet owning public, those interested in pet sitting, and professionals engaged in the in-home pet care industry by fulfilling its vision statement, serving as "the most respected authority in professional pet sitting." It does so by providing the tools and support to foster the success of its members. Additionally, pet parents can benefit from NAPPS' free resources including a disaster preparedness guide, tips on how to select a pet sitter, nationwide referral service, and quarterly teleconferences aimed to educate the pet owning public. To find a pet sitter in your area, check out NAPPS' nationwide "Pet Sitter Locator" at www.petsitters.org.  For more information on NAPPS, please follow @TheNAPPS on Twitter or join us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNAPPS.

SOURCE The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters