# Media Contact: 

# Melissa Klein, Program Chair 

Pets 'N' Preparedness Program

Fairfax Office of the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area

Office: 703-805-2332

Email: <vilesj@redcrossnca.org>

# 

**ARE *[ALL IN THE FAMILY]{.underline}* READY IN THE EVENT OF
DISASTER?**

Taking care of your pet's needs is part of your daily routine. But, in
the event of an emergency or area disaster, do you know what to do so
your pet(s) will be safe?  Learn how, at a seminar where guest experts
will teach you the knowledge and skills, to have the best chance of
safeguarding your companion animal(s).  "Preparing Pets for Disaster" is
coming to the District Supervisor\'s office near you, sometime over the
next year and a half. Workshops will take place in each Fairfax County
District, sponsored by the Fairfax Office of the American Red Cross of
the National Capital Area.

In the wake of September 11^th^ and Hurricane Katrina, there is no
denying that it is possible that there could be either natural or
man-made disasters that will impact Fairfax County and all citizens.  We
need to be prepared as best we can.  According to the American Pet
Products Manufacturers Association, an estimated 63% of households in
the United States have pets; most of these households have more than
one.  *In fact, there are more households with pets, than those that
have children!*  It makes sense that we include pets in our family
emergency plan. But until recently, there has been little emphasis
on this \"animal inhabitants\" angle of disaster preparedness. As in
numbers of owned pets and expenditures on them, the integration of
dealing with pets into official disaster planning is also on the rise.

In order to fill this information gap in our Fairfax County community,
your local American Red Cross is sponsoring a new initiative. "Preparing
Pets for Disaster" seminars will feature guest experts who will provide
pet owners with the information necessary to prepare themselves, and
their four-legged, furry, scaled and/or feathered animal friends, for
the unexpected! The topics discussed will include: making a pet
preparedness kit and plans for evacuation including determining a "pet
friendly" destination in advance, preparing a sheltering in place plan
with the everyday necessities for your pets, the importance of learning
Pet First Aid, how to evacuate your pet quickly and safely in a rapid
onset emergency; and the current state of county and area non-profit
plans for handling family animals when disaster strikes. \"We have
recognized that dealing with pets and the people who love them has to be
addressed at every level of community disaster planning. An estimated
20% of evacuation failure is attributed to people not willing to leave
their pets behind," explained Jesse Viles, Community Outreach
Coordinator, Fairfax/Falls Church office.  "Whether you like animals or
not, the fact is that first responders and the efficiency of disaster
rescue, itself, are going to be affected by them.  People don\'t want to
leave unless they can take their pets along.  And, they will go back
into danger for them. \"

The Pets 'N' Preparedness "pilot program" at Fairfax Office of the
American Red Cross of the National Capital Area, which includes the
Preparing Pets for Disaster seminar, is the brainchild of Melissa
Klein, long-time local companion animal advocate and also accomplished
contributor to animal causes up to the national level. (Through former
affiliation, Ms. Klein was key in obtaining the Virginia "Animal
Friendly" License Plate to raise funds for pet spay/neuter. And, the
2002 USPS Neuter/Spay Stamp with a record sell-out of 285 million, that
educated the nation and raised even more funds re spay/neuter.) Ms.
Klein, Volunteer Chair of the Pets 'N" Preparedness Program explained,
"9/11 still weighs heavily on my mind.---I've been thinking and worrying
about how a residential area with people and pets could be hit. Then, I
was appalled by the needless suffering and loss of lives, both human and
animal, due to Katrina. There were the heartbreaking images of
traumatized children being separated from their beloved pets. People
could have escaped, but did not know what to do with their pets, and
this had tragic consequences. I resolved to do my part that this would
not happen, here in Fairfax County." Many may not be aware that the
American Red Cross, already a leading organization in disaster
assistance and preparedness education, has a Pet First Aid Kit and gives
certification training on how to use it. Klein continued, "I knew about
the Pet First Aid classes and thought the American Red Cross would be
the ideal sponsor and implementer for this workshop. By the Red Cross
including pets in their family emergency preparedness training, it is
taking the acknowledgement of pets as part of the family, one step
further."

Ms. Klein has rounded up local experts, to address the key aspects of
disaster preparedness to include pets. \"The information and supplies
are out there, but it isn\'t easy to find them on your own. You need to
have a good plan in place and, the necessary supplies at hand. Then,
you'll be ready to respond quickly, effectively and safely, for both you
and your pets," explained Klein. Guest speakers include a Red Cross
Certified Pet First Aid Instructor; Animal Control Officer from Fairfax
County Animal Services; Barb Hartman and Beverly Westerman, Region 8
Coordinators and disaster responders, Noah's Wish; retired Battalion
Chief John White, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue.

  

Ms. Viles concluded, \"We understand and acknowledge the strong bond
people have with their pets. We would love to be able to do more of
these sessions, to eventually reach every pet owner in our community
with this potentially lifesaving resource."

**"Preparing Pets for Disaster" is coming to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, Tuesday,
XXXXXXX, 7:30 PM -- 9:15 PM.**

"Preparing Pets for Disaster" is a free workshop, with no residency
requirements. Due to facility restrictions, pets are not allowed. RSVP
is requested due to space limitations. For more information and to
register, *please indicate the date and location of your requested
session*, and contact:

**Fairfax Office of the American Red Cross of the National Capital
Area**

**Melissa Klein, Volunteer Chair Pets 'N' Preparedness Program**

**Jesse Viles, Community Outreach Coordinator**

Office: 703-805-2332

![](media/image1.png){width="1.5in" height="0.9645833333333333in"}Email:
<vilesj@redcrossnca.org>