It’s that time of year again.
With hurricane season stretching from June 1 until Nov. 30, pet-owning University students and faculty should prepare plans further in advance in case of a hurricane.
Now that Tropical Storm Earl is forming in the Atlantic Ocean, some students have begun to prepare for the worst-case scenario, and the University’s vet school said it’s ready to face any challenge thrown its way.
In a July 23 news release, the School of Veterinary Medicine listed a number of important tips for pet owners in the case of an evacuation. The release said pets should never be left behind — the safest place for animals is with their owners.
Supplying pets with proofs of vaccinations and some sort of identification, such as a microchip or a simple identification tag, is essential. If a pet takes medication, owners should pack at least two weeks’ worth in case the return home is delayed.
Some hotels relax on their no-pet policies in times of crisis, but pet owners should call in advance to check that pets are allowed.
If not, research and make plans to send pets to nearby veterinary hospitals and boarding kennels.
The University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital on Skip Bertman Drive remains open 24 hours everyday in rain, shine or even in the case of a disaster.
The University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, in partnership with the American Kennel Club: Companion Animal Recovery, developed a mobile response unit shortly after Hurricane Katrina to assist small animals left behind or abandoned after any natural disaster.
“We saw some pets with injuries from the storm, such as cuts from debris and other animal bites, among others,” Steven Winkler, hospital director of the Vet School, said in a University Veterinary Medicine pamphlet on “Preparing for and Responding to Hurricane Gustav.”
During the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav, the Vet School’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital cared for more than 100 pets. In addition to pets, the SVM’s Wildlife Hospital treated several baby squirrels and birds.
The University was the first to use the new mobile response unit because of build-up of condensation on the hospital floor after Hurricane Gustav. Thanks to the mobile unit, surgeries were performed inside the air-conditioned trailer, Guttner said.
“Our facility, staff and students showed tremendous dedication to our collective programs in the days following the storm,” Peter F. Haynes, dean of the Vet School, said in the Vet School pamphlet.
“Facing the challenges they each dealt with outside of the School as well as the less than ideal work environment within the School following Hurricane  Gustav makes their commitment to our programs even more impressive.”
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Contact Kate Mabry at [email protected]