Americans Urged to Prepare for Disasters, Include Animals in Their Plans

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), a proud participant in the seventh annual National Preparedness Month sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Ready Campaign, encourages Americans to take action now to prepare for emergencies.

This year, National Preparedness Month focuses on encouraging all Americans to take active steps toward getting involved and being prepared. Preparedness is everyone's responsibility, and working together as a team ensures that individuals, families and communities are ready. Individuals are encouraged to make a family emergency plan, put together an emergency supply kit, be prepared to help your neighbor and work as a team to keep everyone safe.

And that includes family pets and other animals, including livestock, according to AVMA President Dr. Larry Kornegay.

"It is often too late to react properly to an emergency or disaster – either natural or manmade – after the fact, and things become even more hectic when pets or other animals are involved," Dr. Kornegay says. "That's why the AVMA believes it is critically important for everyone to have an emergency plan in place – and to practice that plan. Being prepared is some of the best insurance you can have when it comes to dealing with an emergency situation and minimizing the trauma."

The AVMA has a wide variety of disaster preparedness resources available on its website at www.avma.org/disaster.

For more information about the Ready Campaign and National Preparedness Month, visit http://www.ready.gov/ or call 1-800-BE-READY, TTY 1-800-462-7585.

The AVMA and its more than 80,000 member veterinarians are engaged in a wide variety of activities dedicated to advancing the science and art of animal, human and public health. Visit the AVMA Web site at www.avma.org to learn more about veterinary medicine and animal care.

SOURCE American Veterinary Medical Association