INDIANAPOLIS (3 August 2010)-What Hoosier hasn't looked to the sky during a summer pop-up storm or a spring tornado warning and wondered if it's time to take shelter? When those days happen, do you think about your pets? What if you had to evacuate your home? Are you ready to take your pet?

Hoosier animal owners need to be ready for a variety of potential natural and man-made disasters that could affect their pets as much as the people in the home. That's why the staff of the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) will be on-hand at the Indiana State Fair to teach fairgoers how to put together a "go kit" for their animals.

"The Board of Animal Health has been working with Indiana's Department of Homeland Security for more than a decade to educate Hoosiers about the importance of planning for their animals during an emergency," says BOAH veterinarian Sandra Norman. "Most people don't realize that, except for service animals, pets cannot be taken into evacuation shelters. Pet owners really need to plan ahead for where to go, if they want to stay together with their animals. Or, alternatively, know where the animal can stay to be safe."

Dr. Norman recommends pet owners take simple steps like putting together a "go kit" that includes everything the animal companion would need for up to a week. That means a leash or crate, food, water, medications and other supplies. Also, call around to find hotels that allow pets or identify a kennel or friend who can be the care-taker, should the time come to evacuate the home.

"Likewise, livestock owners need to think about these issues, too," Dr. Norman adds. "They have to think about preparedness at a much larger scale as part of their business plan."

BOAH's "Ready, Pet, Go!" campaign focuses on what pet owners can do to be ready for anything-from a tornado to a flood to an ice storm to a chemical spill. Disasters can happen at any time, in any season.

Staff from the Board of Animal Health will be available to provide information and answer questions every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Pioneer Our Land Pavilion during the Indiana State Fair.

For more information about disaster preparedness for all species of animals, visit the Indiana State Board of Animal Health's web site at:  http://www.boah.in.gov/ and click on "Disaster Preparedness".

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