The wildfires that all of us here in southern California have endured are contained…at least for now.
However, according to The L.A. Times, the hot and dry conditions that continue to lurk around the Inland Empire and San Gabriel Valley area will continue to elevate the risk of more fires. Just the thought of it can send chills down anyone’s spine. The good news is that there’s something you can do about it when it comes to the safety of your pets.
The truth is that wildfires affect everyone in your household, including your pets. And if you haven’t already, now is the perfect time to develop a plan of action to ensure that your pets are safe during a wildfire.
Here’s why: According to the Washington Post, pet owners who are suddenly forced to evacuate lack identifying information for their animals. Being prepared ahead of time is crucial to the overall safety of your pets.
Potential Dangers
During a wildfire, your fur baby could be exposed to a wide variety of harmful smoke and particles that can have lasting effects on his or her quality of life long after the wildfires have dissipated.
In fact, the biggest threat to your dog or cat during a wildfire is actually breathing in or inhaling the wildfire smoke. Wildfire smoke is made up of fine particles that can penetrate deep into your dog or cat’s lungs, causing serious health issues, such as chronic congestion.
Action Plan
There are at least six things that you can do to keep your pets safe during the California wildfires.
- Keep your dog or cat inside of your home and close all of the windows to keep smoke from seeping in.
- You’ll need to filter the air for your dog or cat. You can accomplish this by turning on your air conditioner.
- When your dog or cat has to potty, keep the potty breaks short to limit the exposure to smoke.
- Eliminate long walks and other outdoor activities.
- Hydration is essential. Keep a healthy supply of water on hand to ensure that your dog or cat is well hydrated.
- Keep a careful eye out for respiratory problems and eye inflammation. If you notice any signs of your pet having trouble breathing or burning eyes, call your veterinarian immediately.
If Your Pet is Missing
Despite having the best of plans in place, there is still a chance that your dog or cat could get lost or become missing.
As a matter of fact, according to The Kincade Fire Pet Rescue Reunification Group, hundreds of pets were lost during the wildfires. If this happens to you, thanks to local pet lovers and the power of social media, there is a way to potentially find your pet on Facebook through a grassroots organization called the Pet Rescue and Reunification.
The great thing about this organization is that it compiles posts and notices of missing animals all in one place, making it a high chance that your pet is in their database in the event that your pet gets lost or is missing.
The Pet Rescue and Reunification group has set up systems with local volunteers dedicated to working both online and in the fields to identify, track down, and reunite lost pets with their owners.
These are all steps that you can take to keep your pets safe during the California wildfires. Although things have subsided, the reality is that the wildfire season is not officially over.
However, with proper planning and the use of the prevention steps and resources that we’ve outlined, you can keep your pets safe during any wildfire that occurs here in California.
Credits:
Post Written By Nicholas Cole
First Image by Pixabay
Second Image by Cottonbro from Pexels
Third Image by Avelino Calvar Martinez from Pexels