It's wonderful that so many people are getting involved in disaster animal rescue. I'm sure we all have our own disaster supply kits prepared for our pets, and have multiple evacuation routes mapped from our homes. We DO, don't we? Do you have extra copies for your neighbors with pets who might not be prepared?

It occurred to me as I've been stocking my kits that unless you live near an outdoor store, camping supplies, shade canopies and tents are SEASONAL items. When Katrina hit and there were requests for tents and canopies, I could not find these items around me. (I guess you could always order online somewhere, but that adds at least a week).

Now is the time to be hitting Costo, Walmart, Ebay, finding the deals and grabbing them up. If you see a sale on shade canopies or tents, grab a couple to be ready for the next disaster or emergency. The $200 canopies like the pop up ones from EZ-Up, Caravan and Quickshade are really good and can be used for all kinds of things.

Also, while we are all preparing to get trained to go help in the next emergency, it is a good time to make sure our neighbors have crates, leashes and such items. Apartment dwellers in particular (at least the ones I know) never seem to have a crate.

Hit the yard sales, watch the Craigslist posts and classifieds in your local newspaper. Buy the crates and cages, wash and bleach them and, if you don't need them, give them to someone who does. (Sometimes you can get these things just by offering to pick them up).

Every crate you hand out could mean one less animal left behind in the next emergency.

Also, if anybody knows about any bulk crate deals on the quality crate/carriers where we can get crates/carriers at cost or slightly above, please post the info.

I saw on the homepage that UAN is going back to New Orleans to partner with the ASPCA and LA/SPCA to get the people prepared before the next season of storms.

What about collectively coming up with 500 or 1000 crates, carriers, leashes, collars and hand them out to the people down there (and/or other areas most likely to be hit bad by storms) who don't have them so pets can be evacuated easier next time.

It's just a thought, but if people have to move 3 cats without carriers as a storm is approaching it's not going to happen. People should have learned from Katrina and be prepared next time, but some people won't be -- and some people can't afford carriers.

I'd start in the poorer areas, include people on fixed incomes and work my way up to the people who could afford it but just don't think about it.

At the time people get the crate they could also be told where to evacuate to with their pets and how to get there. If they don't have a place to go with their pets or a way to get there, this is all a mute point.

These people could also be given info on free spay/neuter in their area (if it exists) and any other info, supplies, advice that would make things better for the animals.

Think about it -- how many animals coming out of Katrina were not altered and heartworm positive? Won't the next round be easier if the animals are healthier and spayed/neutered?
Would people volunteer for several days to go down and help with spay/neuter clinics and hand out crates and info?

Scenario: Pets get spayed/neutered, chipped if they haven't already been, have the chip registered that day on-site (do not wait for the family to register it). Families would get a crate, leash, collar, tags and be told how to evacuate, where to go and if they have no transportation could register for a bus that would take them and their pets out of town. Or they can just send their pets if they don't want to go.

I know this is probably not practical since it would cost a fortune -- but doesn't it cost more to go in and save them after the fact? It doesn't hurt to start thinking outside the box.

Another thing UAN supporters/volunteers can do while waiting is to prepare info about their towns/cities for people who might be passing through while evacuating. Copies of this info could be dropped off at gas stations, Highway Rest areas, truck stops, all kinds of places -- get permission NOW to do it.

Where are the 24 hour vet clinics? Where are the nearest vets off the highway? What hotels take pets? What campgrounds allow pets? What rescue groups in the area might foster or help someone evacuating with their pets who has no money to pay for food or medicine? Where are the 24 hour Walmarts to pick up supplies? If my dog is taking insulin (which he is), where can I get more? These are just a few ideas for the list.

There are hundreds of people looking at these posts. If everyone did just one thing like this in their area it would really help.

There will always be animals left behind, but simple things now can make a big difference latter.

Sports Authority has big sale on Quick Shade canopy tents until 4/15

10 x 10 shade tents going for $60 for pull out legs and $80 for straight legs. 12 x 12 canopy tents going for $129.

That's a sale of between $50-$90 off regular prices.

Canopies come with cloth cases on wheels and fit into standard size trunks.