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|  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: PET PREPAREDNESS BROCHURE TO DEBUT AT RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERSHIP DAY The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will begin distributing copies of its new pet preparedness brochure tomorrow, September 16, at the American Kennel Club’s Responsible Dog Ownership Day in Madison Square Park. Ready New York for Pets, the latest in OEM’s Ready New York preparedness publications series, offers tips and information for pet owners on how to care for their pets during emergencies. “For many New Yorkers, pets are not just animals – they are part of the family,” said OEM Commissioner Joseph F. Bruno. “It’s important pet owners take steps to prepare both their pets and themselves for emergencies. Disasters like Hurricane Katrina remind us that ALL members of our households should be considered in emergency planning, including pets. We encourage all New Yorkers to take time this month, National Preparedness Month, to make sure their disaster plans are up to date and ready to go.” The new brochure encourages pet owners to have a plan that addresses what they will do when an emergency requires them to leave their homes, leave their pet at home, or prevents them from returning home. It also recommends assembling an Emergency Supply Kit that includes food, water, and cleaning supplies, and putting together a Pet Go Bag with copies of pets’ medical records, an animal first-aid kit, a muzzle and leash, and plastic bags for clean-up, among other items. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, more than half of all New Yorkers have a pet. Planning done today will ensure these residents and their pets are ready for any type of emergency. In recognition of National Preparedness Month, OEM encourages all New Yorkers to make a disaster plan, assemble an Emergency Supply Kit, and put together a Go Bag. Ready New York for Pets was created in partnership with OEM’s Animal Planning Task Force, which includes representatives from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, American Red Cross in Greater New York, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Animal Care & Control of New York City, Bide-A-Wee, Humane Society of the United States, Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Veterinary Emergency Response Team (VERT), and Veterinary Medical Assistance Team One (VMAT-1). Held each September, National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the American Red Cross to encourage individuals to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and schools. AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Madison Square Park, 23rd Street and 5th Avenue in Manhattan. For more information about Ready New York call 311 (TTY: 212-504-4115) or visit OEM’s website at NYC.gov/oem. CONTACT: OEM Press Office 718-422-4888 |  |
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