The CDC has a great tool which can help any pet owner prepare for natural disasters or unexpected emergencies. The article is titled Pet Disaster Preparedness Kit and is a great read for preparing your family for emergency situations before they happen.
There is also a good blog called BringFido that covers details about Pet Emergency Preparedness.
Pets are a part of the family, and it’s important to include them in your emergency preparedness plan. Here are some tips for keeping your pets safe in the event of a disaster:
- Create an emergency kit for your pets. This kit should include food, water, medications, a first aid kit, and any other supplies your pet may need for at least three days.
- Make sure your pets are wearing identification tags. The tags should have your current contact information, including your address and phone number.
- Have a plan for evacuating with your pets. If you have to evacuate, make sure you have a way to transport your pets safely. This may mean having a pet carrier, a car seat, or a trailer for larger animals.
- Know where to go if you have to evacuate with your pets. Many shelters do not accept pets, so it’s important to have a backup plan. You may want to consider staying with friends or family who have pets, or you may want to find a pet-friendly hotel.
- Practice your emergency plan with your pets. This will help to reduce stress and make the process go more smoothly if you ever have to evacuate.
By following these tips, you can help to ensure the safety of your pets in the event of a disaster.
Here are some additional tips for pet preparedness:
- Get your pets microchipped. Microchipping is a permanent way to identify your pet, and it can help you to be reunited if your pet is lost.
- Keep your pets’ vaccinations up to date. Vaccinations can help to protect your pets from diseases that can spread during a disaster.
- Make sure your pets are spayed or neutered. Spaying and neutering can help to reduce the number of unwanted animals, which can be a problem in the aftermath of a disaster.
- Talk to your veterinarian about other ways to prepare your pets for a disaster. Your veterinarian may have additional recommendations for keeping your pets safe.
- Keep your FindPetWatcher account up to date! and be sure your placard is in a very visible place and that you have plenty of wallet sized cards with you.
By taking the time to prepare for a disaster, you can help to ensure the safety of your pets and your family.