UAN Offers Pet Safety Tips for Hawaii Residents in Path of Hurricane Flossie

SACRAMENTO, CA (August 14, 2006) – As Hurricane Flossie approaches Hawaii, United Animal Nations (UAN) is encouraging residents to keep their pets safe during the severe weather by taking the following steps:

Bring all pets indoors. Pets left to fend for themselves in high winds and heavy rain can get injured, lost or die.
Comfort animals and provide distraction. If your pet is scared, providing familiar toys, treats and a quiet place to rest, such as a carrier or crate, may provide a sense of security and comfort.
Assemble an animal disaster kit that includes food, water, medications, a leash or cat carrier, and photos of the animal(s). This kit will prove useful if roads are blocked, stores are closed or residents must evacuate.
Make sure all pets have an identification tag and permanent microchip so they can be found easily if lost or separated.
Identify potential pet-friendly evacuation locations in advance. A searchable database of pet-friendly accommodations is available at www.petswelcome.com or www.petfriendlyhotelsandtravel.com. Residents wanting to find pet-friendly shelters in their community can also call their local American Red Cross chapter or their county Civil Defense Agency.




Through its volunteer-driven Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS), UAN provides free emergency sheltering and disaster relief services for animals in communities that become overwhelmed by natural disasters or other crises. Since 1987, UAN has responded to 70 disasters, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005. With more than 3,400 EARS volunteers in the United States and Canada, UAN can provide the following services to communities in need:

Set up and operate temporary animal relief shelters
Evacuate animals from a disaster site
Rescue abandoned and stranded animals
Feed and care for displaced animals
Transport animals and coordinate veterinary care
Distribute food and supplies to the community
Reunite lost animals with their caregivers and find permanent new homes for unclaimed animals
Emergency management and animal control agencies in the state of Hawaii
can call United Animal Nations at (916) 429-2457 for assistance with animal-related issues.

Now celebrating its 20th year, United Animal Nations (UAN) is North America ’s leading provider of emergency animal sheltering and disaster relief services and a key advocate for the critical needs of animals.