Natural disasters and weather events can be a serious threat to pets that may become injured or lost in the destruction and chaos. In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, thousands of pets were lost or injured and in need of emergency assistance.

As hurricane season begins on June 1, Banfield Pet Hospital and American Humane Association will mobilize its new, 50-foot Red Star® emergency rescue vehicle to ensure pet owners and their pets are prepared to weather the storms ahead. The two will embark on a tour of the Northeast, offering free emergency preparedness clinics for pet owners and educating them on services provided by the Red Star® truck. The tour will begin at the Jersey Shore in Holmdel, N.J. on June 3, followed by stops in Philadelphia on June 5 and Washington D.C. on June 9. Tour dates and locations are listed below:

Holmdel, N.J. – Tuesday, June 3, 2014:
10 a.m. at Banfield Pet Hospital
2101 State Route 35
Holmdel, NJ 07733

Philadelphia, Pa. – Thursday, June 5, 2014:
10 a.m. at Banfield Pet Hospital 2360 W Oregon Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19145-4122

Alexandria, Va. – Monday, June 9, 2014:
10 a.m. at Banfield Pet Hospital 3351 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Unit 10
Alexandria, VA 22305-3126

In an effort to ensure their pets will be safe should disaster hit home, Banfield Pet Hospital’s Northeast regional medical director, Dr. George Melillo and national director of American Humane Association’s Red Star Emergency Services, Justin L. Scally, have the following crucial tips for pet owners:

• Getting your pet microchiped is a must—it is the fastest way to be reunited with your pet should she/he become separated
• Have a pet carrier or crate—familiarize your pet with the crate ahead of time in case they need to be transported on short notice
• Have a leash on hand that can be attached to a properly fitted collar or harness – even the most well-behaved dog can become frightened in the midst of an emergency and may exhibit unexpected or unpredictable behavior
• Have a small disaster kit for your pet, including a week’s supply of food and water, medications and toys
• Locate a safe place to take your pet in the event you must evacuate your home – familiarize yourself with local boarding facilities and hotels which allow pets and keep this contact information with your disaster kit

For a full list of emergency preparedness tips and more information about Banfield Pet Hospital’s Emergency Preparedness Tour, visit http://www.banfield.com/emergencytips.