Have you ever wondered what to do if a sudden disaster hits, and Noodles the cat is wandering around, and you want to know what you need? Well, thanks to King County Animal Care and Control, you now can be prepared!

Here’s what you need:

• Animal crates or carriers (a.k.a. a place to keep Noodles nice and safe)
• Pet food (a one or two week supply will normally do. Include a spoon or dish if that’s what you need to dish out the goods to Noodles)
• Water (a one or two week supply as well, stored in gallon-sized containers.)
• Cleaning supplies (to clean the crates or carriers)
• Cat litter (in case Noodles needs to do his/her business)
• Paperwork (you’ll need the vaccine records/medical history, veterinary information, proof of ownership/animal information, and a list of emergency contacts)
• Photographs (in case Noodles goes missing)
• Medication (if your pet needs it)
• Spare/extra collars, harnesses/leashes
• Bedding or pet blankets
• Identification tags
• Grooming supplies
• Toys (just choose one or two favorites)
• Pet first-aid kit (sterile gauze pads, gauze bandage rolls, first aid adhesive tape, cotton swabs, tweezers, scissors, plastic freezer/sandwich bags, small bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide, styptic pencil or cornstarch, antibacterial ointment, antiseptic cleansing wipes, Kaopectate or Pepto Bismol, a current pet first aid book, eyewash, eyedropper, mineral oil, leather work gloves, latex gloves, leash, thin rope, splint materials)

Don’t worry, Noodles, we’ve got you covered!

Contributed by Brooke Blozis

Fourth Annual Super Pet Adopt-A-Thon:  July 11 (10 am to 4 pm)

Hundreds of adoptable dogs and cats from across Washington State are available for adoption Saturday, July 11, 2009 from 10 am to 4 pm in Kent:

King County Animal Care & Control
21615 64th Ave. South
Kent, WA  98032

For more info., visit King County Animal Care & Control online.

OK, I’ll admit it. That was just a clever title to get you to read this posting, but if you’re here, I succeeded. Allow me to explain the new “zoo” in Kent.

I live on the East Hill and our back yard is lined with trees and shrubs with a green belt on the other side. As a result, we have seen all sorts of suburban wild life including a handful of neighborhood cats. Here’s the thing. They tend to congregate in my yard because (a) it isn’t fenced in and (b) I feed one of the stray cats – the only one I know NOT to have a home. I feed him every morning and whenever he stops by during the day. I occasionally give him treats or a bowl of milk. He’s so skinny; I couldn’t forgive myself if he starved to death because I didn’t do something about it.

The problem is that every other animal in the neighborhood seems attracted to the cat food too…other cats, squirrels, Stellar Jays, slugs and the other night a possum came up on the deck four times for a little bite of Friskies! At first I thought it was a huge rat – something I’ve never seen live – thank goodness – except for in a zoo exhibit or science class. When I saw how big the animal was though, I realized it was a possum…and not a cute one either!

My family used to tease me because of the cats that would visit. They affectionately (I think) called me the cat lady. After the possum though, I’ve been promoted to the position of head zoo keeper. I wonder what animals will be next – maybe I should start bringing in that food dish at night so I don’t have to find out!