Letters to the Editor 1-14-16

Free breakfast
Editor: We’d like to remind all Cloverdale high school students that a free breakfast is offered every Friday morning before school in the dining room at the UCC  church (located next to Kleiser Park by the high school).
Come enjoy the pancakes, French toast, eggs, bacon and sausages cooked up by members of UCC, Kiwanis Club and many volunteers from the community. We also serve various beverages, yogurt and lots of fresh fruit.
There are plenty of tables and chairs set up so you and your friends can stop by, grab a table and eat a delicious breakfast as you enjoy the fact that it’s a Friday. Breakfast is served from 7 to 7:45 a.m. every Friday.
Friday breakfast volunteers
El Niño pet safety tips
Editor: Here in Northern California, we face the predictions for a stormy winter with equal parts hope and trepidation; hope for an end to our years of drought, and trepidation about the likelihood of flooding and power outages in many of areas of our county.
Peace of mind comes from being prepared. Take a moment to review your family’s emergency plan and make sure it includes provisions for your pets.
Gather your pet supplies together with your family’s disaster kit and store them in a safe place:
• Are your pets’ vaccinations up-to-date? Keep copies of vaccination and other veterinary records, as well as photos of your pets, in your emergency kit.
• Pet carrier, pet food and dishes, manual can opener, bottled water, leash, harness, medications, cat litter and box, first aid kit, blankets, newspaper and plastic bags for waste pick up. Stock enough supplies for two weeks of use. Rotate goods out as they expire throughout the year.
Create a plan to safely weather the storms:
• Make sure your pets are wearing ID tags and are microchipped, and make sure all information is kept current.
• Pets can become anxious during severe storms. Make sure they have a safe space in your home where they can relax. Do not leave them outside during a storm.
• Do not leave your pets behind if you need to evacuate your home. Develop a buddy system with family members or neighbors to care for or evacuate your pets if you are not able to do so.
• Know where your safe spots are should a flood occur. Identify location of emergency shelters, but keep in mind that some might not be able to accept pets. Find out which hotels in the area do. Check out: dogtrekker.com/
sonoma/Activities/dog-friendly-hotels.
• Do not leave your pets in your car during or after a flood. Car temperatures can be unsafe, and cars may get swept away or flooded out.
• Make sure you have a clean water source. Flood water may contain sewage or chemicals that can harm your pet.
If your pet goes missing, please remember to check with your local animal shelters including the Sonoma Humane Society  at 542-0882.
Signe Ross-Villemaire