Disaster Preparedness for Pets
Hurricanes, floods, wildfires, hazardous material
spills-disasters can strike anytime, anywhere. If you think you
will never have to evacuate unless you live in a flood plain, near
an earthquake fault line or in a coastal area, you may be
tragically mistaken. It is imperative that you make preparations to
evacuate your family and your pets in any situation. In the event
of a disaster, proper preparation will pay off with the safety of
your family and pets.
If You Evacuate, Take Your Pets
The single most important thing you can do to protect your pets
is to take them with you when you evacuate. Animals left behind in
a disaster can easily be injured, lost, or killed. Animals left
inside your home can escape through storm-damaged areas, such as
broken windows. Animals turned loose to fend for themselves are
likely to become victims of exposure, starvation, predators,
contaminated food or water, or accidents. Leaving dogs tied or
chained outside in a disaster is a death sentence.
If you leave, even if you think you may be gone only for a few
hours, take your animals. Once you leave, you have no way of
knowing how long you'll be kept out of the area, and you may not be
able to go back for your pets.
Leave early-don't wait for a mandatory evacuation order. An
unnecessary trip is far better than waiting too long to leave
safely with your pets. If you wait to be evacuated by emergency
officials, you may be told to leave your pets behind.
Don't Forget ID
Your pets should be wearing up-to-date identification at all
times. It's a good idea to include the phone number of a friend or
relative outside your immediate area-if your pet is lost, you'll
want to provide a number on the tag that will be answered even if
you're out of your home.
Find a Safe Place Ahead of Time
Because evacuation shelters generally don't accept pets (except
for service animals), you must plan ahead to ensure that your
family and pets will have a safe place to stay. Don't wait until
disaster strikes to do your research.
Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check
policies on accepting pets. Ask about any restrictions on number,
size, and species. Ask if "no pet" policies would be waived in an
emergency. Make a list of pet-friendly places and keep it handy.
Call ahead for a reservation as soon as you think you might have to
leave your home.
Check with friends, relatives, or others outside your immediate
area. Ask if they would be able to shelter you and your animals or
just your animals, if necessary. If you have more than one pet, you
may have to be prepared to house them separately.
Make a list of boarding facilities and veterinary offices that
might be able to shelter animals in emergencies; include 24-hour
telephone numbers.
Ask your local animal shelter if it provides foster care or
shelter for pets in an emergency. This should be your last resort,
as shelters have limited resources and are likely to be stretched
to their limits during an emergency.
If You Don't Evacuate
If your family and pets must wait out a storm or other disaster
at home, identify a safe area of your home where you can all stay
together.
Keep dogs on leashes and cats in carriers, and make sure they
are wearing identification.
Have any medications and a supply of pet food and water inside
watertight containers, along with your other emergency supplies.
As the Disaster Approaches
Don't wait until the last minute to get ready. Warnings of
hurricanes or other disasters may be issued hours, or even days, in
advance.
Call to confirm emergency shelter arrangements for you and your
pets.
Bring pets into the house and confine them so you can leave with
them quickly if necessary. Make sure each pet and pet carrier has
up-to-date identification and contact information. Include
information about your temporary shelter location.
Make sure your disaster supplies are ready to go, including your
pet disaster kit.
In Case You're Not Home
An evacuation order may come, or a disaster may strike, when
you're at work or out of the house.
Make arrangements well in advance for a trusted neighbor to take
your pets and meet you at a specified location. Be sure the person
is comfortable with your pets, knows where your animals are likely
to be, knows where your disaster supplies are kept, and has a key
to your home.
If you use a pet-sitting service, it may be able to help, but
discuss the possibility well in advance.
After the Storm
Planning and preparation will help you weather the disaster, but
your home may be a very different place afterward, whether you have
taken shelter at home or elsewhere.
Don't allow your pets to roam loose. Familiar landmarks and
smells might be gone, and your pet will probably be disoriented.
Pets can easily get lost in such situations.
For a few days, keep dogs on leashes and keep cats in carriers
inside the house. If your house is damaged, they could escape and
become lost.
Be patient with your pets after a disaster. Try to get them back
into their normal routines as soon as possible, and be ready for
behavioral problems that may result from the stress of the
situation. If behavioral problems persist, or if your pet seems to
be having any health problems, talk to your veterinarian.
Evacuation Planning:
You may not be in a flood zone or have to flee wildfire, but
even a hazardous material incident on a nearby street could force
you to evacuate. It pays to be prepared!
Disaster Supply Checklist for Pets
Every member of your family should know what he or she needs to
take when you evacuate. You also need to prepare supplies for your
pet. Stock up on nonperishables well ahead of time, add perishable
items at the last minute, and have everything ready to go at a
moment's notice. Keep everything accessible, stored in sturdy
containers (duffel bags, covered trash containers, etc.) that can
be carried easily.
In your disaster kit, you should include:
Medications and medical records stored in a waterproof container
and a first aid kit. A pet first aid book is also good to include.
Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and carriers to transport pets safely
and to ensure that your pets can't escape. Carriers should be large
enough for the animal to stand comfortably, turn around, and lie
down. Your pet may have to stay in the carrier for hours at a time
while you have taken shelter away from home. Be sure to have a
secure cage with no loose objects inside it to accommodate smaller
pets. These may require blankets or towels for bedding and warmth,
and other special items.
Current photos and descriptions of your pets to help others
identify them in case you and your pets become separated and to
prove that they are yours.
Food and water for at least three days for each pet, bowls, cat
litter and litter box, and a manual can opener.
Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior
problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you
have to board your pets or place them in foster care.
Pet beds and toys, if you can easily take them, to reduce
stress.
Other useful items include newspapers, paper towels, plastic
trash bags, grooming items, and household bleach.
Other Evacuation Tips
All mobile home residents should evacuate at the first sign of a
disaster.
Evacuate to the safest location you can that's as close as
possible to home. Long-distance evacuation can be a problem when
highways are crowded.
When planning for hurricanes, identify your evacuation zone and
level to determine if and when you would have to evacuate. Be
prepared for one category higher than the one being forecast,
because hurricanes often increase in strength just before making
landfall.
Your local humane organization or local emergency management
agency may be able to provide you with information about your
community's disaster response plans.
