Page 10 - AAA Schuylkill County – AAA Now! July/August 2015

INSURANCE SERVICES
Creating a Disaster Plan for Pets
Being prepared for a disaster takes careful planning, especially if pets are involved. Whether cat, canine or cockatoo, consider creating a disaster plan that will help ensure their safety if a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, fire or other tragedy strikes.
"Pets are such an important part of many people’s families. It’s crucial to consider them when putting together a disaster plan," says Sue Smyrl, AAA Schuylkill County Insurance Manager. "By doing
so, you can help minimize the negative impacts of a catastrophe like Hurricane Katrina, when several hundred thousand pets were left without shelter."
By taking the following steps, you will help ensure the well-being of your pets.
PREPARING AHEAD OF TIME
• Microchip your dog or cat. Even an ID tag or collar can come off, so a microchip may be the only way to be certain your pet can be identified if he or she is separated from you.
• Consider applying a pet rescue sticker to your front window. These stickers can be purchased online or in pet stores for dogs, cats, birds
or multi-pet households. They alert rescuers and first responders there may be animals trapped inside.
• When you put together an emergency supply kit for your family, be sure to create one for your pet(s), as well. This kit should contain items such as a three-to-seven-day supply
of food, any necessary medications, medical records (in a waterproof container), bottled water, garbage bags, a leash, a crate or carrier, and anything else necessary for your pet’s survival.
• Because pets are not always allowed in emergency shelters, it’s important to investigate places for them to stay in case of a disaster. Make a list of pet shelters, pet-friendly hotels, and the homes
of relatives or friends who might be able to house your animal(s).
• You may also want to establish a buddy system and arrange to exchange keys and information with a friend who also has a pet. That way, you can check on each other’s houses and pets if one of you can’t make it home in an emergency.
WHEN DISASTER STRIKES
• If your animals are outside in the yard, at the first sign of disaster bring them inside and keep them close by. Dogs and cats can get confused and become disoriented during difficult times and may run away.
• Place your pets in a secure location. Put dogs in a room with the door closed and cats in a carrier. The sound of thunder or the smell of smoke can frighten animals, and they might disappear under beds or in other parts of the house and be difficult to find in a hurry.
• Be sure that birds and small animals are contained. If you have a bird, try to get it into a cage, and check to see that its leg band, if it wears one, is properly in place. For pets like mice, hamsters, lizards and guinea pigs, the best thing is to latch them into their cages so they can’t escape.
Doing some – or all – of these things will help everything go more smoothly for you and your pets in the unfortunate case of a disaster.
And when you’re planning for disasters, don’t forget insurance. For more information on auto, homeowners and other personal lines of insurance, please contact us at 570-622-4991.
Protect Your Family's Finances
with Life Insurance
Common hurdles – and how to avoid them – on the path to life insurance success
Life insurance can be a valuable
part of your family’s financial security. Getting coverage and ensuring that
it continues to meet your needs may feel overwhelming. However, it doesn’t have to be. Avoiding these common life insurance hurdles can put you on the right path to life insurance success.
Not Acting
If you wait to get a life insurance policy, you could find yourself without coverage when you need it most. While it’s never too late to obtain life insurance, the healthier you are when you apply for coverage, the easier it is to qualify. And the younger you are, the lower your premiums may be.
Not Understanding
Ensure you understand the details. There are different types of life insurance policies to choose from, so it is important that you understand the features
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JULY/AUGUST 2015