Pet Disaster Preparedness
We never want to think of the worst-case scenario regarding our families, but disasters can strike when we least expect them. Being prepared for a natural disaster or if you need to evacuate your home quickly can alleviate some of the stress and anxiety regarding the safety of your pets.
Preparing everything you need to grab and go is the first step. You can find several pet disaster kit lists online, but here are the essentials:
- Leashes, harnesses, and carriers for transporting safely
- A week’s worth of food and water, including bowls and feeding schedules
- Litterbox and litter
- Medications and instructions for administering
- USB or hard copy of medical, vaccination, and adoption records or other proof of ownership documents
- Current photos of your pet in case they get lost
- First aid kit
- Beds and toys
If your home is unsafe for you, it isn’t safe for your pets, and having a plan on where you can go with your pets can ensure that you can take your pets with you:
- If you plan to stay out of town during an evacuation, have a list of pet-friendly hotels on the way to your destination. Most Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets, and some hotel waive their “no pets” policies in emergencies. Also, ensure that your pet is up to date on their vaccinations to ensure they can stay in the facilities.
- Have a list with phone numbers of friends or family members or boarding/veterinary facilities that can take care of pets during an emergency.
- Include your pets in evacuation drills to familiarize them with getting into their carriers and vehicles. If you need tips on how to get your cat used to its carrier, check out Fear Free Happy Homes for more tips.
- Proper identification is crucial in emergency events. Dogs should have a collar with the most up-to-date contact information. Microchipping is the most reliable form of identification for all pets.
- Place a rescue alert sticker in your window to help the rescue crew identify how many pets are in the house. Include the number and type of pets in the home and update the sticker if you evacuate.
- If there are severe weather alerts or potential disaster situations, bring all your pets indoors to ensure they are safe and accounted for if you need to evacuate.
- If your pet does become lost, check animal control, animal shelters, and local veterinarians daily for reports of a potential match.
Please visit the American Red Cross, the CDC, or the ASPCA websites for further information on preparing emergency kits or creating a plan.