Author Archives: American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Whether at Home or Abroad, the Red Cross Is There for Those Who Serve 

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By Tim Poe, American Red Cross volunteer. 

Assisting members of the armed forces, veterans, and their families has been a core tenet of the American Red Cross since its founding. In honoring Veterans Day, November 11th, we wish to highlight our Services to the Armed Forces (SAF) programs. To help do so, I spoke with Nasir Ahmad, Program Specialist with the Red Cross’s SAF & International Services. He is also a US Air Force veteran. 

Regional COO Tim O’Toole (left) with Nasir Ahmad (right) after Nasir returned from his six-month deployment in Iraq.

Nasir, who returned from a six-month Iraq deployment earlier this year, has continued the Red Cross mission here in Northern Ohio. Nasir stressed the need for flexibility of adjusting to changes, something he and other military families know well. Nasir said, “When coming back, there are a lot of changes, personally and professionally. You can’t pick up where you left off and not expect things to be different. You have to roll with it, be resilient, and fit back into life, both you and your family. Within a month or so, I was back in a new groove, and I think my military experience helped with that.” 

In Bagdad, Nasir and other members of his Red Cross team mainly assisted deployed service members, many of whom were in their early 20s, experiencing their first or second deployment, which reminded Nasir of his experiences as a young service member. Others were at a different stage, sometimes winding down their time in the military. Nasir and his team were there for them, whether they needed a Red Cross service or someone to listen.  

“There’s no rank with Red Cross,” Nasir said, “So they can talk more freely. Conversations often go from funny to somber and serious then back to silliness. When it comes to melancholy, they need support. It is wonderful being one of those to make sure they’re okay.” Nasir also said deployments can be especially challenging during the holidays, and everyone responds differently. 

“Making sure they’re okay” is an important part of Nasir’s work back home in Northern Ohio, too. “We’re helping people in a different capacity,” Nasir said, “but it’s still very much needed.” Services include Coffee Cart programs near VA hospitals and centers, Family Days, and Yellow Ribbon programs, among others. 

This flexibility, humanity, and responsiveness are key to the Red Cross. I asked Nasir what issues are currently most pressing for SAF. A major one is helping ensure military members and their families maintain access to food and necessary services.  

International Services is another aspect of Nasir’s role in the Red Cross, which includes the Restoring Family Links program. This service is open to all families who are separated internationally by war, disaster, migration, and other humanitarian crises. With the number of conflicts and crises throughout the world, and the toll they are taking on families, it is desperately needed, and Nasir spoke of how proud he is to help reunite families. 

Nasir will help honor Veterans Day by taking part in the parade and festivities in downtown Cleveland. He and other Red Cross members will be at a table at Tower City. Stop by and say hello. 

Heroes from North Central Ohio honored

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By Eilene E. Guy, American Red Cross volunteer

When’s the last time you got to see an honest-to-goodness hero up close and personal? I did recently –eight of them, in fact – plus a bonus humanitarian.

The American Red Cross of North Central Ohio hosted an event featuring video interviews of these men and women recounting episodes that suddenly put them in lifesaving situations.

And then there they were, in person. Some of them trained responders, some of them just like you and me, bystanders who reacted to prevent what could have been tragedy: fire, heart attack, blood shortage, attempted suicide, gunshot and more.

What a privilege it was to applaud these folks and to realize that none of us knows when we might be in a similar situation.

The harrowing story of how three women helped several developmentally disabled adults to safety in the aftermath of a road rage shooting:

While at the Findlay Art Walk, Mike Woodruff and Officer Nicholas Price stepped in to help when an attendee had a cardiac emergency:

Melissa Roszman shares how she helped an elderly resident escape a fire and went back to extinguish the flames:

Police officer Christofer Perry shares how he intervened to help a man suffering a mental health crisis:

Columbiana Township Fire Chief Ray Anthony hosts regular blood drives that have impacted his community for years and helped save many lives:

I was pleased to see my Red Cross chapter award its first-ever Clara Ayers Award, named for a Red Cross volunteer nurse from Seneca County who lost her life on the way to the battle fields of Europe during World War I.

Retired nurse Pam Oglesbee couldn’t sit home while the Putnam County Board of Health struggled to get folks vaccinated against COVID-19, so she volunteered to schedule and give vaccines at clinics across her rural county. She continues to help with flu shot clinics, teaches CPR and donates blood. A genuine humanitarian:

Heroes are all around us, without capes and crowns. The Red Cross wants to spotlight those folks, wherever they are in northern Ohio, because it’s our mission to alleviate human suffering by mobilizing the power of volunteers. If you’d like to nominate a hero, click here.

Autumn Elegance Women’s Forum highlights impact of women in philanthropy across Northern Ohio

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By Jill Patterson, senior regional philanthropy officer, Tiffany Circle division lead

Earlier this month, the Barrington Country Club in Aurora was filled with warmth, inspiration, and the unmistakable energy of women coming together to create lasting change. The first-ever American Red Cross Women in Philanthropy event, Autumn Elegance Women’s Forum, was more than just an evening gathering. It was a celebration of connection, purpose, and the collective strength of women united by a mission that matters.

The event was hosted by members of the Red Cross of Northern Ohio Tiffany Circle and is part of the organization’s Women in Philanthropy initiative. This elegant forum brought together a dynamic community of women leaders and changemakers to celebrate the transformative power of giving and the profound impact of women in philanthropy. The event welcomed an extraordinary mix of Tiffany Circle members, major donors, business leaders and passionate supporters, all committed to advancing the mission of the Red Cross. Laurie Laidlaw Deacon, Red Cross of Northern Ohio Tiffany Circle chair, led us through the evening as guests were treated to heartfelt stories, meaningful conversations and a renewed sense of purpose. 

Debra Haufler, executive director of strategic planning, real estate services for the Red Cross shared a deeply moving mission moment, recounting her daughter’s journey with leukemia and the critical role Red Cross blood played in her treatment. Her story reminded everyone of the lifesaving impact behind every donation.

Anne McKeough, Red Cross chief development officer, introduced the Women in Philanthropy initiative, emphasizing its importance in empowering women to lead, influence, and champion change through strategic giving and community engagement.                             

Co-chair of the Red Cross Tiffany Circle National council Marilyn McClure-Demers closed the evening with a powerful call to action, inviting each guest to join us on this journey—to lend their voice, their passion and their leadership to a cause that touches lives every day.

The evening was a testament to what happens when women come together with intention. We left feeling inspired, connected, and more deeply committed to building a future shaped by compassion, generosity, and purpose.

From heartfelt conversations to powerful reflections, the event reminded us of the impact we can make when we lead with compassion and purpose. It marked the beginning of a journey—one where women’s voices, leadership, and generosity shape the future of philanthropy.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. Your presence, passion, and belief in our mission made this night unforgettable.

To see more photos from the Autumn Elegance Women’s Forum, tap here.

Red Cross staff detects health issue in longtime blood donor during routine check in

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By Sam Pudelski, American Red Cross volunteer

Peggy Hammond has donated blood for over 40 years. As someone with O+ blood, she understands the importance of giving blood. She started giving blood after a friend had a daughter diagnosed with Apert syndrome and needed regular blood infusions. She realized how extremely important it was to donate blood to help people like her friend’s daughter, who rely on blood donations.

Fast forward a few years, and Peggy was at the American Red Cross Michael T. George Blood Donation Center checking in for her routine blood donation. When she was signing in, the nurse noticed a sore on her head and told Peggy, “I think it’s infected.” The supervisor confirmed it was, and Peggy wasn’t able to donate that day. Over Christmas, she contacted her doctor and after sending a picture of the spot in question, she went in to have it evaluated.

Her doctor determined the sore was not just an irritated spot on the head, but was in fact skin cancer, specifically squamous carcinoma. Approximately 2 out of every 10 skin cancers are squamous cell skin cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. Luckily, the cancer was caught early. Peggy had Mohs micrographic surgery to have the cancerous spot removed. The procedure went well, and with the surgical site healed, she was able to resume her regular blood donations.

She returned back to the donation center to begin her regular blood donations again, and of all people volunteering that day, the same nurse who discovered her spot, was there again! “She saved my life,” Peggy said. She was grateful to have the chance to tell her how much her catch that day helped her.

In speaking with Peggy, it’s evident she’s passionate about giving back and grateful that she’s still able to continue to donate to help others in need. If you are interested in donating blood, the Red Cross holds blood drives across Northern Ohio. To find an upcoming blood drive near you, visit redcrossblood.org.

Edited by Glenda Bogar, American Red Cross volunteer

The Unseen Battle: Why Platelet Donations are Vital for Those Fighting Breast Cancer 

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By Kathryn Dean, American Red Cross volunteer 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  In the United States, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their life, making breast cancer the second most common cancer in women behind skin cancer.   

Mother and son, Rosalie Lang and Ryan Lang

Almost all of us have been affected in one way or another by this terrible disease, whether it has impacted a family member, friend, associate, or oneself.  Ryan Lang, Regional Communications Manager at the American Red Cross Northern Ohio Region, shared his own personal story back in February about his mom’s battle with breast cancer.  You can read his story HERE. 

When dealing with any cancer, transfusions are often an important and crucial part of treatment.  Chemotherapy and radiation cause bone marrow suppression, reducing the number of blood cells that the body can produce.  Low counts of red and white blood cells and platelets lead to symptoms like anemia, immunosuppression, and risk of hemorrhage.   

With around one-fourth of all blood products and half of all platelets used in the U.S. by patients who are fighting cancer, it is crucial to maintain an adequate blood supply. 

Platelet donations are needed daily, as they have a shelf life of only about 5 days.  However, most are tested and used within 3 days.  The need is so great that every 15 seconds, someone in the U.S. receives a platelet infusion.   

Donating platelets is by appointment only and will take around 3 hours of your time, but a single donation can help up to 3 people in need.  Here are some things to expect at your visit: 

  • 3 hours from start to finish includes set up, pre-donation questionnaire, and refreshments afterwards. 
  • A smaller needle is used to donate platelets than a standard blood donation, making the process more comfortable for some. 
  • Eligibility is the same as that for whole blood donations. 
  • It is possible to donate both plasma and platelets at the same time if you choose. 
  • Some find recovery to be easier than blood donations, as the fluids and red blood cells are returned to you during the process. 

Make a difference this October and help those fighting breast cancer and beyond by considering a life-giving donation. Donate platelets by Oct. 19 and receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card, or donate between Oct. 20–Nov. 3 to receive an American Red Cross Platelet Donor t-shirt, while supplies last! 

To learn more about platelet donations, click the link HERE.  You can schedule an appointment by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App HERE, or by visiting this link HERE. 

Fire Prevention Week: Making Northern Ohio communities safer

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By Eilene E. Guy, American Red Cross volunteer 

Full confession: More than once in my life, I’ve walked into the kitchen and found my teakettle boiled dry, glowing red hot on the stove. I’d neglected to turn the burner off before I left the room.  A-a-a-a-ck! 

Lucky for me, I took action before my kitchen caught fire. But every year, more than 330,000 homes across America are hit by fires – some minor and some devastating – according to the National Fire Protection Association. 

In northern Ohio alone, the American Red Cross responded to nearly 1,050 home fires between June 30, 2024, and July 1 of this year. Those alarms involved more than 4,600 people. Tragically, 25 adults and 11 children lost their lives. 

Nobody should become that kind of a statistic.  

As we slide toward the colder months, National Fire Prevention Week is a good time to review common sense prevention tips: 

  • Be sure anything that gets hot, like a portable heater, is at least three feet from furniture or curtains. 
  • Do not smoke in bed or on the sofa or stuffed furniture. 
  • Never leave candles unattended. 
  • Don’t leave the kitchen with pots, pans, skillets or teakettles on the stove, like I did! 
  • Keep matches and lighters out of reach of youngsters and teach them not to play with fire. 
  • Test smoke alarms monthly and practice a home escape plan twice a year. 
  • Identify devices in your home that have lithium-ion batteries: cell phones, laptops, tablets, eReaders, game controllers, digital cameras and tools, among other things. Learn how to buy, charge, store and recycle them safely.  

Red Cross volunteers are ready to respond to home fires and other emergencies 24/7, but we’re also active with our home fire campaign year-round. It’s a life-and-death mission to cut that 330,000 fires number as “low as you can go.” (Remember limbo?) And to cut the fire-related deaths number to zero! 

Fire safety experts have four solid recommendations: 

  • Have smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. 
  • Test smoke alarms every month and if they’re not working, change the batteries. If your alarm is more than 10 years old, replace it; smoke detection elements only last 10 years. 
  • Talk with all family members about at least two ways to get out of the home in case of a fire, and practice that escape at least twice a year. Remember, you have just two minutes to get out of your home in case of fire. 
  • If a fire does occur, Get Out, Stay Out, and Call for Help! Be sure all children in the home know those important actions. No stop, drop and roll; no hiding from the alarm; no going back inside for a pet or a favorite toy. GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL FOR HELP! 

The Red Cross home fire campaign, which we call Sound The Alarm, pulls together volunteers, fire departments and local partners to go door-to-door to install free smoke alarms and to help residents draw up fire escape plans for their home.  

Volunteers installing a smoke alarm in an Akron, Ohio resident’s home during a May 2025 Sound the Alarm event

In fiscal 2025, that campaign made some 9,200 residents of northern Ohio safer. Meanwhile, volunteers presented our Prepare with Pedro home fire safety programs to more than 3,800 children.  

And this is saving lives! Since Sound The Alarm began at the national level 11 years ago, we’ve confirmed 2,489 lives have been saved specifically by our alarms and safety plans nationwide. Some 31% of those lives saved were children and teens under the age of 18. 

All services provided by the Red Cross are free, made possible by the generosity of the American people. If you’d like to volunteer your time, take a class or make a financial donation to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to an emergency – from a home fire to a medical emergency to a natural disaster – please go to www.redcross.org. 

Celebrate Blood Collectors Week by thanking those who make life saving blood donations possible

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By Tim Poe, American Red Cross volunteer

I walked into the cot-filled room on a sundrenched late-summer Friday, saw an arm rise and heard a smiling voice, “Hey, my man, I can take you over here!” After checking in with the American Red Cross blood donor ambassador, I was greeted by a phlebotomist, Will, who was professional, compassionate, and kind, as all the blood collectors I’ve met have been, making the experience as pleasant as possible. And phlebotomists are one portion of the blood collection process, as there are also ambassadors, apheresis operators, donor recruiters, and technicians.

These medical professionals play a critical role in our nation’s blood supply and health, yet their contributions are often unsung, so we honor their dedication, compassion, and skill during the 20th annual Blood Collectors Week, September 7-14.

Tessa Lewis, Red Cross phlebotomist, after ten Power Red donations were collected a recent blood drive at the Lakewood YMCA

To help celebrate the week, I spoke with Tessa Lewis, a phlebotomist with the Red Cross. Like many blood collection professionals, Tessa’s career choice grew out of a desire to help others. Tessa said, “My mom and close family are some of the most selfless people I have ever met. Growing up I had great examples of what a caring person looked like.” When Tessa was taking GED classes in Bucyrus, Ohio, which she credits with helping turn her life around, Tessa expressed her desire to help others with a counselor, who led her to phlebotomy school, which she loved. After working at a hospital for a short time, Tessa found her way to the Red Cross and loves her job.

When asked what she enjoys most about her job, Tessa said, “Not only do I get to help save someone’s life every day, I also get to travel places and meet new people. I’ve grown a close bond with multiple coworkers and donors.”

Browns Give Back hosted our annual First and Ten Blood Drive in the KeyBank Club of Cleveland Browns Stadium in partnership with the American Red Cross on July 27, 2024.

Tessa has had many positive experiences with donors. One example is a donor who was also a surgeon and family man and loved learning what vitamins can do for your body. “By the time he left,” Tessa said, “I had so much respect for him.” Later that week, Tessa received an e-mail from the donor who wrote several nice things, which really stuck with and further helped motivate her. Tessa also spoke of the critical need for a diverse blood supply, mentioning that it is especially heartwarming when donors show their support for sickle cell. Tessa also believes we need to continuously educate those in our lives on the importance of donating blood.

To celebrate Blood Collectors Week, Tessa plans to show her love to her colleagues and those in the lab who make it all possible.

Outside of her career, Tessa enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as yoga, meditation, and drawing. She also has an adventurous spirit and has skydiving on her bucket list.

Tessa highly recommends those who, like her, want to help others consider a career in blood collection, as there are many opportunities for growth.

Finally, thanks to the continuous work and dedication of blood collectors, my most recent donation was a little different, as the hemoglobin check did not involve a needle. (I also received an exceptionally groovy Peanuts t-shirt, which is available for blood donors until September 21st.) More information on Blood Collectors Week is available here. If you would like to meet some of our fantastic blood collection professionals like Tessa and donate blood, please visit RedCrossBlood.org.

Canada wildfires: One Northern Ohio Red Cross volunteer’s deployment story

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By Ryan Lang, American Red Cross

As part of the global Red Cross and Red Crescent movement, national societies often support disaster response in neighboring countries. The American and Canadian Red Cross have a long history of this kind of collaboration, including sending volunteers to support sheltering and other disaster response work.

This summer, the American Red Cross deployed more than 115 trained disaster volunteers to help the Canadian Red Cross’s effort amidst the worst wildfire season in the country in the past 30 years.

Northern Ohio volunteer Paul Hiszem (second from right) with other Red Cross and Canadian Red Cross volunteers providing relief during the Manitoba wildfires, July 2025.

One of those volunteers is Paul Hiszem, from the Northern Ohio Region. Paul’s been a Red Cross volunteer for about five years and has been on nearly a dozen deployments. This one, however, was slightly different.

“We were expecting about 4,000 residents, but we only got about 400,” Paul said of the shelter he was working at in Winnipeg. “Residents of the affected communities were being evacuated by plane.”

Residents from outside Manitoba may not have had damage to their home, but were in mandatory evacuation zones, so they hopped on small planes and were taken to Winnipeg, where Paul and other Canadian Red Cross and American Red Cross volunteers and shelter workers were waiting for them.

“A vast majority of the people we were working with were indigenous,” Paul said. “Some of them didn’t speak English. Emotionally, that was a big challenge because they’d been away from home for so long. We interacted some, trying to keep them apprised of different schedules and things, but it was different, a different setup than a lot of the shelters I’ve worked before.”

With more than 100 volunteers joining the massive relief operation, it marked the largest support effort on behalf of the American Red Cross in Canada. Prior to this summer, in 2016, the American Red Cross supported relief efforts when an Alberta wildfire forced more than 88,000 residents of Fort McMurray and surrounding areas to leave their homes in search of safety.

Canadian Red Cross volunteers are no strangers to supporting disaster relief efforts in the U.S., either. In recent years, 56 Canadian Red Cross volunteers have deployed to disasters across the United States. The American and Canadian Red Cross are two of the 191 Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies that make up the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the world’s largest humanitarian network. Often referred to as National Societies, their roles differ country by country, but they are all united by our Fundamental Principles and all strive for the good of humanity.

And that’s what Paul is doing as a volunteer – striving for the good of humanity and working to prevent and alleviate human suffering in emergencies. Hear more of Paul’s story on the latest episode of our Be a Hero podcast here. And click here to sign up to be a disaster volunteer.  

Preparedness starts at home: Urging Northern Ohio residents to prepare for emergencies now

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September is National Preparedness Month, and the American Red Cross Northern Ohio Region is urging everyone to protect their loved ones and their homes by getting ready now.

Most people may not realize it, but the nation’s number one disaster is home fires. On average, the Northern Ohio Region responds to 3 home fires every 24 hours. Last fiscal year, the Red Cross responded to over 1,000 home fires in the region, issuing more than $1.1 million in direct financial assistance to impacted residents. Help your family prepare by testing your smoke alarms each month and practicing your escape.

Red Cross volunteers installing a smoke alarm inside a home in Cleveland.

“National Preparedness Month is a great time to ask whether your family would be ready if something unexpected happened tomorrow,” said Mike Parks, Regional CEO, Red Cross of Northern Ohio. “It’s not about being scared; it’s about being smart and looking out for the people you love. Taking a few simple steps now so that you have a plan can make all the difference when it matters most.”

HOW TO GET READY Disasters don’t wait for the “right time” — they can happen in the middle of the night, during your commute or while your kids are at school. Protect your family by making a plan to stay safe, gathering important supplies and knowing how you’ll stay connected by taking these steps:

  • Depending on the emergency, you may need to stay where you are or go somewhere else to stay safe. If you may need to leave, think about where you’ll go, how you’ll get there, where you’ll stay and what you’ll take with you. Plan well in advance if you’ll need help leaving or use public transportation.
  • Next, gather and organize critical supplies — like food, water and medicine — into a go-kit and a stay-at-home kit. Make sure to include backup batteries and chargers for your devices (cell phone, CPAP, wheelchair, etc.), a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, and critical personal records.
  • Your go-kit should include three days of supplies that you can take with you. Your stay-at-home kit should have two weeks of food and water, and a one-month supply of medications, if possible.
  • Customize your kit to meet your household’s specific needs. If you have young children, don’t forget formula and diapers. If you have pets, include leashes, carriers, food, bowls, litter and a litterbox.
  • Finally, make a plan to reconnect with loved ones if you are separated or if the phone or internet is down. Write down important phone numbers on a contact card and carry it with you.

Download the free Red Cross Emergency app for weather alerts, safety steps for different emergencies and expert advice in both English and Spanish. Don’t forget to sign up for local government emergency alerts to get critical local information — like evacuation notices — during an emergency.

People can also help their community be better prepared for disasters by giving blood, taking a class in lifesaving skills like CPR, or becoming a Red Cross volunteer. Visit redcross.org or call 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) to learn more today.

“Whether it’s a fire in someone’s home or a storm that destroys an entire town, disasters can happen anywhere, at any time,” Parks said. “Taking a few minutes now to get ready will help you protect your loved ones if the worst happens.”

National Dog Day: A look at American Red Cross’ pet programs

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By Kathryn Dean, American Red Cross volunteer

Every year on August 26, National Dog Day is recognized in the U.S. and globally as a way to celebrate dogs and the positive impact they have in the lives of people. The American Red Cross celebrates dog ownership and offers many services that support our canine companion friends. Read on to find out more! 

Megan Winans, American Red Cross, and Athena

Pet First Aid App – Would you know what to do if your pet had a medical emergency?  The Red Cross makes it easy with their free Pet First Aid App, available for download in both the Google Play and Apple App Stores, or text “GETPET” to 90999. This user-friendly app covers a wide range of potential emergency scenarios, specifically tailored for your dog (or cat!). From the basics of airway, breathing and circulation checks, to step-by-step CPR and first aid instructions, this app has you covered.  Scenarios include drowning, car accidents, burns, falls, poisoning and much, much more. It also includes an emergency vet locator,  preventative care tips and quizzes to brush up on your safety knowledge.   

Cat and Dog First Aid Course – So you’ve downloaded the Pet First Aid App, but still want to take your knowledge a step further with formal training. That is possible through the Red Cross Cat and Dog First Aid Course. Learn pet CPR and first aid and become certified to provide care in an all online, self-paced course that only takes around 35 minutes to complete. This paid course covers the basics of normal vital signs and what to do in an emergency, including wounds, bleeding, seizures and cardiac arrest. In addition, you will learn preventative care tips to help keep your pet safe. Click HERE to learn more about the course and to register! 

Animal Visitation Program (AVP):  Red Cross volunteers and their certified service dogs work in conjunction with the Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) program to offer canine visitation to both active-duty military members and veterans within the VA medical system or on bases here in Northern Ohio and around the world. Approved therapy dogs provide comfort, love and encouragement to service members who are deployed or away from home. To learn more about volunteering in this capacity, click HERE. 

Disaster Response:  The Red Cross deploys to disasters all over the U.S., from fires, to floods, to hurricanes and more. In addition to relieving human suffering, special teams are assigned to assisting families with any pet needs that may arise, including finding pet friendly shelters, providing access to resources such as food, cages, blankets and vaccines. In Northern Ohio, the Red Cross works in partnership with Faithful Companions, a pet cremation service for pets who unfortunately lost their lives in fires or other disasters, free of charge. 

To keep pets safe and prepare for evacuation during disasters, Megan Winans, a Red Cross employee who serves as Pet Liaison for National Level 4+ Deployments and also serves as the Divisional/Regional Pet Champion, offered these great tips: “I always encourage everyone I know to make sure they have a go bag ready ahead of time for not only themselves and their human family members, but a go bag for their pets too. Items such as extra food, water, medications, bowls, leashes, collars, a cage and copies of important documents are all very helpful to have together in one spot to grab as you go.”  

To learn more about disaster preparedness with pets, click HERE. 

Edited by Glenda Bogar, Red Cross volunteer