ASPCA Urges Pet Owners to Prepare for Winter Storm Nemo

NEW YORK—In anticipation of winter storm Nemo, the ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) urges pet owners to make preparations ahead of the blizzard to keep their families and pets safe.

"The most important thing pet owners should do is to bring their pets indoors," said Dr. Dick Green, director of Disaster Response for the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response team. "Don’t wait until the last minute to secure food and supplies for you and your pets. If conditions are unsafe for humans, they are also unsafe for pets."

The ASPCA urges pet owners to develop an emergency plan that accounts for the safety of their animals and to stay up to date on storm warnings in their area.

The following tips will help pet owners prepare for winter storms:

• Always bring pets indoors at the first sign or warning of a storm or disaster.
• Don’t let your dog off the leash after heavy snowfall. Dogs can lose their scent during winter storms and easily become lost.
• Keep a pet emergency kit and supplies handy with items such as medical records, water, pet food and medications, and pet first aid supplies.
• Make sure all pets wear collars and tags with up-to-date identification. The ASPCA recommends micro-chipping your pet as a more permanent form of identification. 
• Arrange a safe haven for your pets in the event of evacuation. Do not leave your pets behind.
• Clean off your dog’s paws with a moist washcloth after going outside. Snow-melting salt can be very painful to dogs’ feet and can make them ill when ingested.

The ASPCA Field Investigations and Response team frequently responds to natural disasters, including major events like Hurricane Sandy and the Joplin, Mo. tornado in 2011, Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008 and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, in addition to being called upon by state and municipal governments and other animal welfare partners to lend expertise during large-scale animal rescue operations.

For more information on disaster preparedness and cold weather pet safety tips from the ASPCA, please visit www.aspca.org, or visit our blog for the latest updates at blog.aspca.org/content/keep-your-pets-safe-and-happy-during-blizzard.