OAKLAND PARK, Fla., June 7, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oakland Park veterinarians Dr. Spencer Ratnoff and Dr. Gary Glickman are urging pet owners to prepare for Atlantic hurricane season by microchipping their pets and having a pet emergency evacuation plan in place. The veterinarians recommend microchipping all pets, so, in the event of separation due to a hurricane, pets can more easily be identified and reunited with their owners. Since not all hotels or hurricane evacuation shelters will allow pets, pet owners should identify a safe place to stay ahead of time that is pet friendly. When stocking up on supplies, the veterinarians are reminding owners to stock extra fresh water and food for their pets.
With Atlantic hurricane season officially kicking off on June 1, advanced preparation can be a family's best defense for not only protecting property, but also protecting their pets. That's the message Oakland Park Animal Hospital is spreading in an effort to raise awareness about the importance of hurricane preparedness for pet owners.
"We are urging pet owners to take time now to learn what actions to take before, during and after a hurricane in order to protect their pets," said Dr. Ratnoff. "This includes having a clear plan in place for evacuation and identifying pet-friendly shelters. If the plan is to remain home, pet owners should designate a 'safe room' and store supplies in this room, including extra food, clean drinking water for pets and any medication that pets may need."
In the event of a hurricane or other weather-related disaster, frightened pets often try to hide in nooks and crannies around a house that may be unsafe. The veterinarians recommend keeping dogs on leashes and cats in their carriers, so, if a last-minute evacuation occurs, pet owners will not lose time trying to track down their pets.
Oakland Park Animal Hospital is also urging pet owners who have not microchipped their pets to do so as soon as possible. The vet hospital is running an online promotion with an ad on their website that includes 10-percent off microchipping and free registration.
"Recently we have had several lost pets brought into the animal hospital that are not microchipped," said Dr. Glickman. "While we do everything in our power to reunite these lost pets with their owners, without a microchip, the chances for a happy reunion are much lower. If these pets did have a microchip, we would only need to scan the chip and, within minutes, we could pull up the owner's contact information in a secure database and contact the owner."
Oakland Park Animal Hospital provides comprehensive pet wellness care and emergency care services for pets in Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors, Lazy Lake, Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderhill, North Lauderdale, Sunrise, Plantation, Davie, Tamarac Margate, Pompano Beach, Lauderdale by-the-Sea and Sea Ranch Lakes.
For more information, visit http://www.oaklandparkanimalhospital.com/.