Pets

Pet Preparedness

If you are one of the millions of pet owners across the country, your pet is an important member of the family household. Your pets well being will be enhanced if you plan for their needs during the next emergency to strike your community. 

Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as assembling an animal emergency supply kit and developing a pet care buddy system, are the same for any emergency. Whether you decide to stay put in an emergency or evacuate to a safer location, you will need to make plans in advance for your pets. Keep in mind that what’s best for you is typically what’s best for your animals.

If you must evacuate, take your pets with you if possible. However, if you are going to a public shelter, it is important to understand that animals may not be allowed inside. Plan in advance for shelter alternatives that will work for both you and your pets.

Make a back-up emergency plan in case you can’t care for your animals yourself. Develop a buddy system with neighbors, friends and relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so. Be prepared to improvise and use what you have on hand for your pet make it on its your own for at least three days, maybe longer.

Follow these three steps:

• Get a kit 
• Make a plan
• Stay informed

Pet Kit

Get a Kit of pet emergency supplies. You can search the web for pre-made kits or do it yourself:Food: Keep three to seven days of dry food in an airtight, waterproof container or have pop-top canned food with a feeding dish. 

Water: Store at least three days of water specifically for your pets, in addition to water you need for yourself and your family. Store a water bowl too. 

Medicines and medical records: Keep an extra supply of medicines your pet takes on a regular basis in a waterproof container. 

Collar with ID tag, harness or leash: Your pet should wear a collar with its rabies tag and identification at all times. Include a backup leash, collar and ID tag in your pet’s emergency supply kit. 

First aid kit: Talk to your veterinarian about what is most appropriate for your pet’s emergency medical needs. Most kits should include cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors; antibiotic ointment; flea and tick prevention; latex gloves, isopropyl alcohol and saline solution. Include a pet first aid reference book.  

Important documents: Place copies of your pet’s registration information, adoption papers, vaccination documents and medical records in a clean plastic bag or waterproof container and also add them to your kit. 

Crate or other pet carrier: If you need to evacuate in an emergency situation take your pets and animals with you, provided that it is practical to do so.

Sanitation: Include pet litter and disposable litter trays (aluminum roasting pans are inexpensive), newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach to provide for your pet’s sanitation needs. Liquid dish soap and bleach as a disinfectant (dilute nine parts water to one part bleach). Disposable garbage bags for cleanup.

A picture of you and your pet together: If you become separated from your pet during an emergency, a picture of you and your pet together will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you in identifying your pet. Include detailed information about species, breed, age, sex, color and distinguishing characteristics.

Familiar items: Put favorite toys, treats or bedding in your kit. Familiar items can help reduce stress for your pet.

Tip! Consider two kits. In one, put everything your pets will need to stay where you are and make it on your own. The other should be a lightweight, smaller version you can take with you if you and your pets have to get away.

Pet Plan

Make a Plan for what you will do in an emergency.

Plan in advance what you will do in an emergency. Be prepared to assess the situation. Use common sense and whatever you have on hand to take care of yourself and ensure your pet’s safety during an emergency.

Evacuate. Plan how you will assemble your pets and anticipate where you will go. If you must evacuate, take your pets with you, if practical. If you go to a public shelter, keep in mind your pets may not be allowed inside. Secure appropriate lodging in advance depending on the number and type of animals in your care. Consider family or friends outside your immediate area who would be willing to take in you and your pets in an emergency. Other options may include: a hotel or motel that takes pets or some sort of boarding facility, such as a kennel or veterinary hospital that is near an evacuation facility or your family’s meeting place. Find out before an emergency happens if any of these facilities in your area might be viable options for you and your pets.

Develop a buddy system. Plan with neighbors, friends or relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so. Talk with your pet care buddy about your evacuation plans and show them where you keep your pet’s emergency supply kit. Also designate specific locations, one in your immediate neighborhood and other farther away, where you will meet in an emergency.

Talk to your pet’s veterinarian about emergency planning. Discuss the types of things you should include in your pet’s emergency first aid kit. Get the names of vets or veterinary hospitals in other cities where you might need to seek temporary shelter. Also talk with your veterinarian about microchipping. If you and your pet are separated, this permanent implant for your pet and corresponding enrollment in a recovery database can help a veterinarian or shelter identify your animal. If your pet is microchipped, keeping your emergency contact information up to date and listed with a reliable recovery database is essential to you and your pet being reunited.

Gather contact information for emergency animal treatment. Make a list of contact information and addresses of area animal control agencies including the Humane Society or ASPCA and emergency veterinary hospitals. Keep one copy of these phone numbers with you, and one in your pet’s emergency supply kit.

Get Rescue Alert Stickers. Obtain a free ASPCA “Animals Inside” packet & sticker and place them on your doors or windows, including information on the number and types of pets in your home. Consider putting both your cell phone and your vet’s phone number on the sticker. Petplan also provides free Pet Rescue Alerts with your pet’s picture. And, if time permits, remember to write the words “Evacuated with Pets” across the stickers, should you evacuate your home with your pets.

If you must leave your pet behind 

• Put your pet in a safe, secure room without windows but with adequate ventilation, like a bathroom.
• Leave enough food to last for seven days.
• Fill up the sink, bathtub and containers that won’t tip over easily with water.  Your pet will be under stress and may drink more water than usual.  One to two gallons of water per day per pet can be used as a guideline.
• Leave familiar bedding and safe toys that the pet is used to.
• Don’t confine dogs and cats in the same space.  Cage small animals and birds.
• Ensure that your pet is wearing identification tags.
• Place a notice on your front door that there are pets in the house and where they are located.
• Provide a telephone number where you can be reached or the number of your veterinarian.
• If you expect flooding provide access to elevated spaces or counters.
• Never leave your pet tied outside especially when expecting a flood.

Stay Informed

Be Prepared for what might happen. Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as assembling an emergency supply kit for yourself, your family and your pets, is the same regardless of the type of emergency. However, it’s important to say informed about what might happen and know what types of emergencies are likely to affect your region.

Be prepared to adapt this information to your personal circumstances and make every effort to follow instructions received from authorities on the scene. With these simple preparations, you can be ready for the unexpected. Those who take the time to prepare themselves and their pets will likely encounter less difficulty, stress and worry. Take the time now to get yourself and your pet ready.