Newspaper Page Text
6B
♦ WEDNESDAY. MARCH 16. 2005
***
HOUSTON MIDDLE GEORGIA CHAPTER
Celebrates Red Cross Month
The Houston-Middle Georgia Chapter
of the American Red Cross is celebrat
ing Red Cross Month this March by giv
ing thanks to the thousands of people in
this community who have personified
America’s humanitarian spirit by donating
their time, money and blood during the
last year.
America has always been a place of
humanitarian action and compassion: A
place where people take care of each other
whether they are down the block or around,
the globe. Putting compassion into action
is deeply rooted in the American charac
ter and the people in Houston, Bleckley,
Wilcox and Pulaski Counties are no ex
ception.
“Although hurricanes and tsunamis
CPK/FIHST AID TRAINING, ham
3PM $55.00 per person. All fees must
be paid prior to class dates American
Red Cross certification includes Adult
CPR. AED, Infant/Child CPR, and First
Aid. Group rate available with 6 or
more. Provides knowledge and skills
PETS AND DISASTER: Be Prepared
In the event of a disaster, if you
must evacuate, the most important
thing you can do to protect your pets
is to evacuate them, too. Leaving pets
behind, even if you try to create a
safe place for them, is likely to result
in their being injured, lost, or worse.
So prepare now for the day when you
and your pets may have to leave your
home.
Have a Safe Place To Take Your
Pets. p e( j q oss disaster shelters
cannot accept pets because of states’
health and safety regulations and
other considerations. Service animals
who assist people with disabilities
are the only animals allowed in Red
Cross shelters. It may be difficult, if
not impossible, to find shelter for your
animals in the midst of a disaster, so
plan ahead. Do not wait until disaster
strikes to do your research.
Contact hotels and motels outside
your immediate area to check poli
cies on accepting pets and restrictions
on number, size, and species. Ask if
“no pet” policies could be waived in
an emergency. Keep a list
of “pet friendly” places,
including phone num
bers, with other disaster
information and supplies.
If you have notice of an
impending disaster, call
ahead for reservations.
Ask friends, relatives,
or others outside the af
fected area whether they
could shelter your ani
mals. If you have more
than one pet, they may be
more comfortable if kept
together, but be prepared
to house them separately.
Prepare a list of board
ing facilities and veteri
narians who could shelter
animals in an emergency;
include 24-hour phone
numbers.
Ask local animal shel
ters if they provide emer
gency shelter or foster
care for pets in a disaster.
Animal shelters may be
overburdened caring for
the animals they already
have as well as those dis
placed by a disaster, so
this should be your last
resort.
Assemble a Portable
Pet Disaster Supplies
Whether you are
make the headlines, many people forget
that the day-to-day work of the Red Cross
takes place in communities like ours, and
is made possible by ‘hometown heroes’
who volunteer their time, and is funded
by voluntary contributions from local citi
zens and businesses," says Catie Carchedi,
Executive Director of the Houston-Middle
Georgia Chapter.
Over 600 Middle Georgia residents vol
unteered last year to help local families
when disaster strikes; teach their neigh
bors lifesaving skills such as first aid, CPR
and water safety; help local military fami
lies communicate during emergencies;
and much more.
Two of these hometown heroes are
Joanne and Tommy Epps. Thanks to the
BASIC REP CROSS COURSES
necessary to provide care for breathing
emergencies, perform CPR, use and
automated external defibrillator (AED)
for victims of sudden cardiac arrest, and
provide basic first aid care for injuries
and sudden illness. Call 478.923.6332
for details.
BABYSITTER TRAINING. 8 30AM
3:3OPM $40.00 per person. All fees
must be paid prior to class date.
Become Infani/Child CPR certified!
Training also provides individuals age
11 to 15 with the information and skills
away from home for a day or a week,
you’ll need essential supplies. Keep
items in an accessible place and store
them in sturdy containers that can be
carried easily (duffle bags, covered
trash containers, etc.). Your pet disas
ter supplies kit should include:
Medications and medical records
(stored in a waterproof container) and
a first aid kit.
Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and/or
carriers to transport pets safely and
ensure that your animals can’t es
cape.
Current photos of your pets in case
they get lost.
Food, potable water, bowls, cat lit
ter/pan, and can opener.
Information on feeding schedules,
medical conditions, behavior prob
lems, and the name and number of
your veterinarian in case you have to
foster or board your pets.
Pet beds and toys, if easily trans
portable.
Know What To Do As a Disaster
Approaches, often, warnings are is
■Endles sAoxeißet Palace
Where your pets are treated like royalty
• Constant care from a staff of 8
• Dogs taken out individually 5 times per day as well as
evening romp
• Boarded inside house in a climate controlled home
environment
PET BOARDING AT ITS BEST!
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
315 N. Houston Lake Blvd.
478-953-8483
Endless Love Pet Palace recognizes and honors the dedication and all
the hard work that the American Red Cross participates in. Thank you!
Epps and other volunteers who have, on
their own time, received special training on
how to help families when disaster strikes,
more than 70 local families received im
mediate assistance—shelter, food, cloth
ing—when disasters, such as fires, forced
them from their homes, this year.
"America has always been a place
where people look out for each other. We
really want to thank everyone who chose
the Red Cross as their way to help out in
our community,” says Carchedi.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt de
clared March 1943 to be Red Cross
Month—a tradition that has been contin
ued every year, by every president since.
Governed by volunteers and supported
by community donations, the American
necessary to provide safe and respon
sible care for children in the absence of
parents or adult guardians. Bring a sack
lunch. Call 478.923.6332 for details.
CPR CHALLENtiES-Seheduled
@ 1 hour intervals. Times include
9AM-11AM; 2-4 PM. Are your life
saving skills solid enough to perform
unassisted and pass written test with a
score of 80% ? If so, a CPR challenge
is right for you! Challenge fee S3O and
includes all certifications if applicable.
Call 478.923.6332 for details.
sued hours, even days, in advance. At
the first hint of disaster, act to protect
your pet.
Call ahead lo confirm emergency
shelter arrangements for you and your
pets.
Check to be sure your pet disaster
supplies are ready to take at a mo
ment’s notice.
Bring all pets into the house so that
you won't have to search for them if
you have to leave in a hurry.
Make sure all dogs and cats are
wearing collars and securely fastened,
up-to-date identification. Attach the
phone number and address of your
temporary shelter, if you know it, or
of a friend or relative outside the di
saster area. You can buy temporary
tags or put adhesive tape on the back
of your pet’s ID tag, adding informa
tion with an indelible pen.
You may not be home when the
evacuation order comes. Find out if a
trusted neighbor would be willing to
take your pets and meet you at a pre
arranged location. This person should
American
Red Cross „
be comfortable with your pets, know
where your animals are likely to be.
know where your pet disaster supplies
kit is kept, and have a key to your
home. If you use a petsitting service,
they may be available to help, but dis
cuss the possibility well in advance.
Planning and preparation will en
able you to evacuate with your pets
quickly and safely. But bear in mind
that animals react differently under
stress. Outside your home and in
the car, keep dogs securely leashed.
Transport cats in carriers. Don’t leave
animals unattended anywhere they
can run off. The most trustworthy pets
may panic, hide, try to escape, or even
bite or scratch. And, when you return
home, give your pets time to settle
back into their routines. Consult your
veterinarian if any behavior problems
persist.
Birds should be transported in a
secure travel cage or carrier. In cold
weather, wrap a blanket over the carri
er and warm up the car before placing
birds inside. During warm weather,
Red Cross is a nationwide network of
nearly 900 field units dedicated to saving
lives and helping people prevent, prepare
for and respond to emergencies. Led by 1
million volunteers and 36,000 employees,
the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief
to families affected by more than 70,000
disasters, trains almost 12 million people
in lifesaving skills and keeps U.S. mili
tary families connected worldwide. The
Red Cross is the largest supplier of blood
and blood products to more than 3,000
hospitals across the nation and also as
sists victims of international disasters and
conflicts at locations worldwide. Marsha
J. Evans is the President and CEO of the
American Red Cross.
PREVENTING DISEASE
TRANSMISSION 6PM-7PM sls
per person. All fees must be paid prior
to class date. OSHA approved. How
blood borne pathogens are spread; how
to help prevent exposure incidents by
following work practice controls; prac
tice good personal hygiene and properly
cleaning and disinfecting equipment
and supplies; report and follow up
on employee exposures to infectious
materials.
BECOME A
VOLUNTEER
Volunteers are the heart and soul of
The American Red Cross. We will help
train any person who is willing and
able to volunteer their time.
Houston Middle GA Chapter of The
American Red Cross!
Call today 478.923.6332
The following are only a few of the many op
portunities we have available.
ADMINISTRATIQN- typically this person
will answer phones, enter the daily mail log, type
thank you letters, stuff envelopes, or any other
administrative function as needed.
DISASTER: typically this person will help our
Chapter plan, prevent, and prepare for emergen
cies such as single family fires.
HEALTH AND SAFETY: typically this per
son will assist the Health and Safety Coordinator
with Health Fairs, maintaining records on Health
and Safety classes, or even becoming an instruc
tor teaching classes like CPR and First Aid!
DEVEI.OPMF.NT: typically this person will
help plan and participate in fund-raising and
other events of the Chapter, they may be asked to
help with press releases, donor information and
marketing.
MAINTENANCE: typically this person will
assist in the maintenance of the building, shed
and vehicles
Do you want to become part of the American
Red Cross family? Become a volunteer with the
Houston Middle GA Chapter of American Red
Cross! Volunteers are the heart and soul of the
American Red Cross. We will help train any
person who is willing and able to volunteer their
time. The following are only a few of the many
opportunities we have available. Please call
478.923.6332 for details today!
by the Humane Society of the United States in
cooperation with the American Red Cross
carry a plant mister to mist the birds’
feathers periodically. Do not put wa
ter inside the carrier during transport.
Provide a few slices of fresh fruits and
vegetables with high water content.
Have a photo for identification and
leg bands. If the carrier does not have
a perch, line it with paper towels and
change them frequently. Try to keep
the carrier in a quiet area. Do not let
the birds out of the cage or carrier.
Snakes can be transported in a pil
lowcase but they must be transferred
to more secure housing when they
reach the evacuation site. If your
snakes require frequent feedings, car
ry food with you. Take a water bowl
large enough for soaking as well as a
heating pad. When transporting house
lizards, follow the same directions as
for birds.
Small mammals (hamsters, gerbils,
etc.) should be transported in secure
carriers suitable for maintaining the
animals while sheltered. Take bed
ding materials, food bowls, and water
bottles.
■jSjm• a. «■»'- I
www.endlesslovepetpalace.com
THE HOUSTON HOME JOURNAL
If you must evacuate, do not leave
your animals behind. Evacuate them
to a prearranged safe location if they
cannot stay with your during the evac
uation period, (remember, pets are not
allowed in Red Cross shelters.) If
there is a possibility that disaster may
strike while you are out of the house,
there are precautions you can take to
increase your pets’ chances of sur
vival, but they are not a substitute for
evacuating with your pets. For more
information, contact The Humane
Society of the United States, Disaster
Services, 21(H) L Street NW, Wash
ington. DC 20037.
In a statement of understanding,
The American Red Cross recognizes
The Humane Society of the United
States as the nation’s largest animal
protection organization responsible
for the safety and well-being of ani
mals, including disaster relief. The
American Red Cross is committed to
transforming the caring and concern
of the American people into immedi
ate action.
ll.W)