BEFORE IT HAPPENS
Updated - July 2015
Our birds depend on us for their safety and well-being. The following information will help us be prepared for an emergency before the event.
If you need to evacuate – TAKE YOUR BIRD WITH YOU! It is a good idea to have a prearranged safe place to bring your feathered friend(s). Ask friends and relatives who live in different areas if they would be willing to help out in an emergency. Also contact local hotels and motels and check on their pet policies.
Have a secure TRAVEL CAGE available at all times, unless the cage your bird is in is portable to transport the bird as is. Have enough carriers for all birds (do not forget your other pets). Transport your bird in a safe CARRIER. Have a TOWEL or BLANKET to cover the bird if it is stressed or cold.
Birdie Emergency Disaster Preparedness information is courtesy of SBBS members!
BIRDIE DISASTER KIT
Store a birdie disaster kit next to the carrier with the towel or blanket.
YOUR KIT SHOULD CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING:
- Bottled water
- Bird first aid kit
- Food – seed or pellets that your bird(s) like and are familiar with.
- Do not forget to rotate your supplies for freshness
- Trail Mix
- Travel Cage – Have a secure travel cage (or pet carrier) available for your bird(s) at all times unless they are already housed in portable-sized cage(s). Always transport your bird(s) in safe carrier(s).
- Dehydrated fruits & vegetables
- Spray bottle
- Canned fruits and vegetables (no salt or low salt w/tab opener)
- Your pet’s medication!
- Towel or blanket
*Do not forget to ROTATE your supplies for freshness*
AVIAN FIRST AID KIT
- Towel for wrapping and securing bird (to prevent flailing or biting)
- Hemostats and tweezers
- Scissors
- Needle nosed pliers (for pulling broken blood feathers)
- Nail clippers
- Disinfectant
- Tissues
- Q-Tips
- Styptic powder (Kwik-Stop)
- Betadine or hydrogen peroxide
- Gauze pads
- Medical tape and “vet wrap”
- Flashlight
- Sterile water or bottled water
- Pedialyte (for rehydrating a dehydrated bird)
- Stick (if your bird is stick trained)
- Gloves, leather (welders gloves for larger birds)
- Plastic table cloths (with backing) for catching seed. You can place the cages on the cloth when at a hotel or family/friend’s.
- “Zip ties” or cable ties to secure cages
- Instant hand warmers
- Antibacterial wipes to clean your hands
- Hand sanitizers
- Net – to catch your birds if necessary
- Can opener
- Grip shelf liner to stack carriers
- Portable cage
- Ziploc bags/trash bags
- Personalize your kits to your pet’s needs
- Phone number and address of a local 24 hour emergency animal hospital
- Phone number and address of your avian veterinarian
- Plastic see-through box to hold items. Mark “EMERGENCY” and add a list of your supplies
GRAB AND GO FIRST AID SUPPLIES – BIRDS
Grab and Go First Aid Kit was designed for when you take your bird(s) out of the house (could also be used at home). For example, to bird club meetings, picnics, or a friend’s house. Your kit can be personalized. Keep your kit in the car. Have another at home.
- Hand sanitizer
- Q-tips
- Vet wrap or rolled gauze
- Band aids
- Tweezers
- Gauze pads
- Non-stick Telfa pads
- Pedialyte powder
- Phone number and address of 24 hour emergency animal hospital or vet’s cell phone
- Styptic powder
- Soft toothbrush
- Saline
- Tissues
- Scissors
- Paper tape (medical supply)
Optional:
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Hothands (body and hands warmer)
- QuikClot Hemostatic Gauze (for bleeding)
- Flashlight
- Towel
- Plastic gloves (optional … some birds get scared)
- Bird seed or pellets and bottled water (replace when needed/expires)
Wherever there are birds, there should be a "birdie" First Aid Kit.
When an accident happens,
it is too late to look for the necessary supplies!