Whether you live in an earthquake zone or a hurricane-ravaged area, preparing for disasters with your pet is crucial. You should have a portable kennel, emergency supplies, and a plan in place for pet care. You should practice evacuations and document ownership. You should also practice identifying your pet’s essential needs, like food, water, and a veterinarian.
Prepare a portable kennel
Regardless of what kind of disaster you’re preparing for, it is important to remember your companion animals. If possible, prepare portable kennels for your pets. You can also make copies of important documents. Besides preparing a portable kennel for a pet, you can also train your pet to be comfortable in the kennel. Training your pet will help ensure a smooth transition when disaster strikes.
If you have a pet, you should also prepare a separate disaster kit for it. Keep up-to-date contact information for you and your pet, including their ID tags. Also, keep a list of places you can take them if disaster strikes. You should also know the latest disaster information in your area, including evacuation plans and shelter locations. Be sure to follow emergency broadcasts, keep up with local news, and get a FEMA app.
Prepare an emergency kit
For the best preparedness, you should also microchip your pet and include all of their contact information, including emergency contacts outside your immediate area. Identify the nearest animal shelter and contact information and list these numbers in your pet emergency kit. In the event of a disaster, think about what your pet will need to survive, such as food, water, and a blanket. Include fresh food and water in your pet emergency kit and label the carrier accordingly. You should also have at least two emergency kits.
Your pet’s emergency kit should include his or her identification cards, a litter box, and household chlorine bleach. Keeping a picture of your pet with the emergency kit is also very important. Your pet will be less stressed if you keep things familiar. A microchip, rabies number, and a copy of your pet’s identification cards can be stored digitally through pet services such as PetHub. If you have more than one pet, you should also keep several emergency contact numbers handy.
Practice evacuations
If you live in an area that is prone to natural disasters, a good tip for preparing for emergencies with your pet is to practice evacuations. It is best to evacuate before a disaster hits, if possible. The reason is simple: your pet will be less stressed and fearful if it is evacuated ahead of time. If possible, partner with a neighbor who also has a pet.
Prepare pet carriers, vaccination records, and crates, and train your pet to stay in a car. Make arrangements with friends, neighbors, and family to transport your pet in case of emergencies. If you cannot evacuate with your pet, you can contact local governments to find a shelter that will accept your pet. For pet-friendly shelters, consult the Humane Society for more information. When possible, practice evacuations with your entire family to make sure everyone gets out safely.
Document ownership
Veterinary records and photos of your pet should be kept in a safe place. You should keep them in a wallet or cloud storage. If you are unable to care for your pet in a disaster, you can use the photographs as a backup. You can even write down any specific instructions you may have for your pet in case of an emergency. These tips will help you prepare for the worst case scenario.
Include a photo of your pet with identification information in the kit. You should also include a list of pet-friendly emergency kennels, veterinarian’s offices, and friends’ homes. A rabies tag and identification tags should be on your pet’s collar, and you should consider microchipping your pet. These are essential pieces of information in case of an emergency and can help the authorities find your pet.
Train your companion animal to be comfortable in a portable kennel
During a natural disaster, physical structures may be destroyed, so it is important to have a plan for temporary confinement. Portable kennels, tie-outs, and other methods of temporary confinement may be necessary to keep your companion animal comfortable during a shelter evacuation. During a disaster, your companion animal may be stressed and scared, and this fear could result in illness and injury.
You should prepare an emergency kit for your companion animal. Include food, water, medications, blankets, toys, and any perishable items. Make sure to keep back-up supplies of essentials. Keeping copies of important documents such as your pet’s health records is also a good idea. If your pet does not feel comfortable in a kennel, you may want to consult a veterinarian.
