Help! I’m in the Hospital and My Dog Has to Go!

By Joni Johnson

Everyone is concerned about the big emergencies on campus like a fire or earthquake, and plans are in the works in case of events like these.  But what happens if you have a personal emergency and no one is there to take care of your animal?  For example, let’s say you fall or get seriously ill and are on the way to the emergency room but your dog or cat is in your house with no one to care for it.  You need help. Residents helping Residents is there to rescue you.

Leslie Schettler, with the help of Vicki Gorrell, got a group of Manor residents together to take care of this problem.  Over forty cat and dog owners attended to discuss the situation.  With input from the people attending, Vicki and Leslie came up with forms to put on your refrigerator indicating what to do with your animal in case you are not there as well as people to contact who would be willing to help you.

The website, listed as Pets @ RVM in the GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES section in myrvm.org, can be reached by clicking the following link if you are logged in to myrvm.org:

https://a.mwapp.net/p/mweb_ws.v?id=82274946&c=82275315&n=Groups-and-Activities.

It currently has the following documents:

• RVM pet policy
  • Pet registration form
  • Ways to prepare for emergencies when you have pets
  • Pet directory (fillable pdf)
  • Resources for residents with pets (vet recommendations, pet sitters and walkers, where to buy food, etc.)
  • Residents willing to help on a short-term basis in case of a sudden personal emergency

These lists will give you the comfort of knowing your pet’s needs will be met while you are in extremis.  The lists are for short-term help only. But once the immediate crisis dealt with, you will have a little time to figure out your next step in case you will be out of the house for some time.

One issue that is still being worked out is what to do in case your apartment or cottage is locked.  Security does not have the right to enter your apartment without some sort of approval. Ideas are being bandied about how to solve this problem. Stay tuned for more information.

If you have any questions, please contact Leslie Schettler (lwschettler@gmail.com) or Vicki Gorrell (vgorrell@gmail.com).

Meanwhile, how exciting that Gini Armstrong and Cynde Mauer’s RESIDENTS HELPING RESIDENTS is looking out for you on this issue.