• Identification: Your pets should have an ID tag with your current contact information on it. Also make sure your veterinarian has your current contact information on file. Consider microchiping your pet to help you reunite with your pet in case his collar gets lost if you are separated.

• Equipment: Leashes, harnesses, and muzzles for larger dogs. Crates, cages or carriers for smaller dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small pets. Make sure all equipment is in good condition and that your emergency phone number is written on them in permanent ink. *

• Supplies: Be sure to keep enough food and water (and bowls) for your pets to last at least three days. If you have a cat, also keep a supply of litter and litter box that can fit into your cat's carrier or enclosure. Other useful items include towels, blankets, newspapers, trash bags, hand sanitizer, and a few toys.

• Information: Keep your pet's medical records and vet's contact information in a waterproof document bag or gallon freezer bag. Include phone numbers for an emergency contact outside of your area in case you need to temporarily evacuate or relocate after the storm. 

• Animal First Aid: Familiarize yourself with the signs of heatstroke and prepare a first aid kit, including any medications, suitable to your animals needs. Your veterinarian can provide you with resources specific to your pet. 

If you choose to evacuate, take all your pets and make sure they are safely contained and secured in your vehicle with your supplies and equipment.

If you choose to shelter in place, bring your pets indoors and confine them in a small, comfortable area away from windows where you can easily reach them. Keep them leashed or in carriers if possible.

After the storm, keep your pets confined while you check your home and property for damage and hazards. Broken glass, roofing nails, and other debris are dangers to paws, and damaged fences or windows could allow escape, or stray animals in. If your area has experienced flooding, sewage may also be a danger.

Disruption of regular routines is stressful on people and pets alike. If you notice behavior changes, loss of appetite, or other signs of stress that persist or become worrisome, contact your vet. 

For more information on disaster planning and preparation for pets, please visit the following links:

• Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services 
• HCPHES Veterinary Public Health 
• Houston SPCA 

*Consider training your dog to walk quietly on a leash. Cats and other small animals should be familiarized with carriers.

On August 17, 2013, Houston Credit Unions Association and PlazAmericas Mall in partnership with TELEMUNDO and KTJM La Raza 98.5 & 103.3 FM will be hosting the "5th Annual Back to School Drive, Health Fair and Business Expo" for 2013, the largest community service event of the year. The event will distribute backpacks full of school supplies, uniforms and other items. This is a big undertaking that requires a collaboration of several organizations whose mission and vision are to help the community regardless of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age or ethnicity. This is in response to the "No child left behind" initiative. Several individuals and companies heard the plea and with the combined effort this project became a reality. With the help of Houston Independent School District (HISD) more than 20 schools were chosen with approximately 7,000 students and approximately 4,000 families will benefit from this event.

Adjoining the event is a Health Fair that will distribute preventative information and free medical check-up that will give families an opportunity to speak with several healthcare providers and a Business Expo that will allow business owners to promote their products and services.  To complete the package, a fun fair will be provided for children that will include face painting, snow cones, popcorn, dancing, moon walks, entertainments and more.

Date & Time: August 17th, 8 am - 3 pm

Location: PlazaAmericas Mall,7500 Bellaire Blvd

For Details and Information about the event, please contact the following: 

Nelvin Joseph Adriatico, Event Chairman

Theresa Gutierrez, Overall Coordinator

Joshua Mares, Marketing & Vendor Coordinator

Peter Hernandez, Volunteer Coordinator

Have you ever wondered what kind of training a police officer must undergo to do his or her job? Do you think you could do it just as well, or better? Now is your chance to find out. The Houston Citizens' Police Academy, HCPA, is currently accepting applications for the fall class beginning September 12 through November 14.

The closing date for the fall class is August 22nd. In the event an application is received after the closing date, the application will be considered for the next class. The HCPA classes are held twice a year; spring and fall. 

The Houston Citizens' Police Academy graduated its first class on August 3, 1989 under Chief Lee P. Brown. The overall objective of the Houston Citizens' Police Academy was to provide citizens with sound and accurate information about the Houston Police Department and the criminal justice process. This affords participants the able to make informed decisions when issues or matters involve the police department or police activity. It is the department's hope that participants in the Citizens Police Academy will share their experiences and learned information with family, friends, co-workers, and their communities to further improve and strengthen community-police relations in Houston and become ambassadors for the department. 

• Cost: ALL CLASSES ARE FREE!

• Date: September 12 through November 14 every Thursday for 10 weeks, from 6 pm to 9 pm. The Citizens Police Academy is a 33-hour block of instructions. The first day of class is Orientation, and the last day is Graduation.

• Location: Houston Police Department Academy, 17000 Aldine Westfield Road 77070 (some sessions are held at various HPD locations such as Hobby Airport and Mounted Patrol).

For more information, please click here or call 713-308-3200.