[Volunteer Claudia]

For Immediate Release: 5/01/2016
(05/01/2016, Lake Panasoffkee, FL)

The Humane Society/SPCA of Sumter County wants to make sure your pets are kept safe as Florida residents enter the 2016 hurricane season June through November. We have seen the recent extremes reached in weather throughout our country and want our community to be at its best in preparedness. Companion animals can face huge life threatening dangers if left unattended during a dangerous storm. The HS/SPCA strongly urges pet owners to provide a safe haven for their companion animals indoors where they may be shielded from the risk of lightning, electrocution, flying debris, drowning or injuries caused in their attempts to flee from their fear of an oncoming storm. These resources and tips are offered to protect your pets during the upcoming hurricane season:
• If you plan to evacuate, bring your pets. Remember, if it’s not safe for you to be there, it’s not safe for them either. Evacuation should take place no later than 24-48 hours before any storm makes landfall predicted towards your residence. Notify family or friends that you will be bringing your pets along. If you are leaving the storm area and you plan to stay at a pet friendly hotel/shelter, reservations must be made immediately as sites book up rapidly during an emergency.
• Keep your pets inside or in a secure room or crate. Animals have been known to panic to such an extent that they will bolt from their home and run in terror to avoid storms. If windows break, pets loose in a house, have been known to flee from the debris and chaos. Operating portable generators must be kept in sheltered but open air environments. Do not keep pets in a garage with an operating generator. The carbon monoxide fumes are toxic and will potentially kill them and you. Have a Pet Alert window cling on your home's front and back doors for emergency workers to know who needs to be pulled from danger if you are not home at the time.
• All pets should have more than one form of ID (collar with a personal tag and a County License tag, a microchip or MobiPet ID) on them and an emergency contact number out of the storm’s range in case you are separated. Have their current paperwork stored in waterproof bags or storage containers. Advice for newcomers to FL: Update your in/out-of-state contact information at the microchip company’s website.
• All pets should be current on vaccinations and needed prescriptions should be filled before the storm arrives. Provide at least a two week supply of medications, water and pet food for each pet. Have a manual can opener if there is no electricity and a pet first aid kit ready.

Horses and other livestock:
If you plan to evacuate your horses, do not find yourself stranded on a crowded highway with a loaded horse trailer. High winds may cause a trailer to flip over and flooded areas make hauling livestock even more dangerous. Make all pet related arrangements well in advance, have ample fuel, tires/brakes/lights checked and allow for slower than normal travel time.
• If you have horses or other livestock, make sure they are NOT locked in barns but instead have the option to run out towards an open space in case of a barn collapse during high winds or potential tornadoes. Have a breakaway halter (preferably leather) with an ID tag secured to it or a luggage tag woven into their mane. Fetlock ID bands, available at local feed stores, allow you to write your contact information on them should the animal escape their property lines if trees come down on fence lines. Store perishable livestock feed and hay elevated from flooded areas and store feeds in plastic bins to prevent deadly molds from growing.
• Remove any loose or lightweight objects which could become projectiles in high winds. These items can potentially impale and kill animals. Fill all empty tubs with water so it will be readily available to livestock during the entire storm’s presence in the event you may lose power and cannot pump water from your well.

Recovery of Lost Pets:
• Make sure pets always wear proper identification. Acquiring a County pet license and having a microchip for each of your pets greatly increases the chances of reuniting a lost pet with its owner. An overwhelming number of pets are lost specifically during hurricane season due to their attempt to escape the chaos and with no form of ID, they have little chance of being reunited with their owners. Don’t make your pet a tragic statistic!
• If you found or lost a pet, contact The Humane Society/SPCA of Sumter County, Inc. at 352-793-9117 or the Sumter County Animal Services at 352-569-1960. Make sure you have a current photo of your pet and/or proof of ownership, with all contact information. Create a flyer with the photo & info and post it at all local veterinary offices, groomers, pet supply stores, throughout your neighborhood along with your HS/SPCA and County Animal facility so they are all on the alert to help. There are many local social media Lost & Found pet pages on Facebook which assist as well.
The Sumter County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has many other helpful disaster planning tips available at Sumter County, FL - Official Website | Official Website under the Emergency Management department listing. The closest official “pet friendly” shelters near The Villages opened during a storm emergency are Lake: Rolling Acres Elementary School in Lady Lake and Sumter: South Sumter High School in Bushnell.
The Humane Society/SPCA of Sumter County, Inc. (HS/SPCA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, volunteer-based organization helping all animals in need throughout Sumter County, Florida. Donations directly help to cover the cost of saving, treating, and caring for neglected, abused and abandoned animals. To find out more about the HS/SPCA, visit HOME - Humane Society/SPCA of Sumter County, Inc., call 352-793-9117, visit them on Facebook or at their shelter located at 994 CR 529A, in Lake Panasoffkee Mon.-Sat.
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[Volunteer Claudia]

FYI-gather important info about hurricane safety on 5/06 from 10am-2pm. This includes your pets!
The HS/SPCA of Sumter will have info available along with their hugely popular Pet Alert Window Clings for only a $4 donation/2 pack.
Don't be scare...be prepared!