4 Ways to Add Your Pet to Your Disaster Plans
With Disaster Preparedness Month coming up this September, it’s a good time to think about getting ready for emergencies. We need to get ourselves prepared, but we can’t forget about our furry family members too. When a big disaster like a hurricane, earthquake, or wildfire happens, things can get really confusing and scary. But if we plan ahead for our pets, it can help a lot.
As veterinarians and animal hospitals, one of our important jobs is to teach pet owners why it’s so crucial to be ready for disasters when you have pets. In this blog, we’ll talk about how you can include your pet in your disaster plan, so everyone stays safe.
The most important thing to do first is to get an emergency kit ready for your pet. This kit should have things like food, water, any medicines your pet needs, a leash, a collar with their name tag, and anything else they might need to stay safe and comfortable. It’s a good idea to have a crate or carrier ready too, just in case you have to leave your home quickly.
Next, having a designated safe location for your pet is crucial if you cannot bring them during an evacuation. This could be a friend’s or family member’s house, a boarding facility, or a pet-friendly hotel. Make sure to have important contact information for this location readily available, as well as information for local animal shelters and veterinary hospitals in case your pet becomes lost or injured.
Also, you should make sure your pet’s identification is all current. That means checking their collar tags and making sure the information on them is correct. If your pet has a microchip, double-check that the information linked to it is up-to-date too. During a disaster, it can be really easy for pets to get separated from their owners, but having the right identification can help bring them back to you safely.
Finally, practicing your Disaster Plan with your pet before a disaster is essential. This can include taking your pet on car rides with their crate or carrier to get them used to it and practicing evacuation drills with them.
As we mark Disaster Preparedness Month, we strongly urge you to make sure your pet is part of your disaster plan. If you’re unsure about anything or have questions, please reach out to us. We’re here to help and provide guidance to ensure your pet stays safe during emergencies.