LOS ANGELES, Jan. 27, 2021 — The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region’s volunteers from the Northern Valleys Chapter responded to a home fire impacting a family and their two pets in North Hills.

On Tuesday afternoon, volunteers from the Red Cross Disaster Action Team responded to a home fire, impacting one family. The Red Cross helped coordinate emergency aid for the four impacted family members, along with their two pets, one cat and one dog, by providing direct client assistance and recovery planning to meet their disaster-caused needs.

“Emergencies like home fires can be scary situations, and they not only impact family members, but also our pets,” said Barbara Mariscal, Disaster Program Manager for the American Red Cross Northern Valleys Chapter. “In an emergency, your pets will be even more dependent on you for their safety and well-being. That’s why your family’s disaster plans must include your furry family members too.”

Red Cross volunteers have been re-trained to maintain social distancing and follow proper safety procedures to continue serving communities impacted by local disasters, during the coronavirus outbreak.

CREATE AN EMERGENCY PLAN FOR YOUR PET

The best way to protect your household from the effects of a disaster is to have a disaster plan. If you are a pet owner, that plan must include your pets. Being prepared can save their lives.

Here are five things to consider:

1. If it’s not safe for you to stay in your home during an emergency, it’s not safe for them either.
2. Include supplies for your pet in your emergency kit or assemble an emergency kit for your pet. Keep items in an accessible place and store them in sturdy containers so that they can be carried easily. Make sure to include sturdy leashes, harnesses and/or carriers to transport pets safely and ensure that they can’t escape. See full list here.
3. Make an evacuation plan for you and your pets. Many hotels and shelters do not accept animal guests, other than service animals.
4. Include your pets in evacuation drills so that they become used to entering and traveling in their carriers calmly.
5. Make sure that your pet’s vaccinations are current and that all dogs and cats are wearing collars with securely fastened, up-to-date identification. Many pet shelters require proof of current vaccinations to reduce the spread of disease. Consider having your pet “microchipped” by your veterinarian.

DOWNLOAD THE APP Pet owners can download the Red Cross Pet First Aid app for veterinary advice for everyday pet emergencies at their fingertips. The free app features videos, quizzes and step-by-step advice on pet first aid and includes emergency preparedness information. Red Cross apps can be found in smartphone app stores by searching for American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

HOW YOU CAN TAKE ACTION:

• Make a financial donation to your local Red Cross to help people affected by home fires and other disasters in the United States and around the world. Visit redcross.org/donate.
• Visit redcross.org/fire for home fire safety information, including an escape plan to practice with your family.
• Become a Red Cross volunteer by applying at redcross.org/volunteer.

Families in our community, across the country and around the world turn to the Red Cross every day to help #EndHomeFires. Hospital patients still need lifesaving blood; neighbors still need food, shelter and care after disasters; and military families still need support. Your help is needed to fulfill the urgent needs of our mission today at redcross.org/la.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/la or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA or @CruzRojaLA.