May 13th is National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day, and as such it’s important to consider how you can keep your pet protected in the event of an emergency situation. Pets are entirely dependent on their owners. Therefore, it’s essential to have a plan of action in place for your pet should you be faced with an emergency evacuation to ensure their safety and well-being.
Prepare An Emergency Pet Kit
Proactively preparing an emergency kit full of your pet’s vital supplies is a great way to be prepared in the event of an emergency. We recommend keeping the supplies in a dry, sturdy container in an area that’s easy to access should you have to move quickly.
Items To Include In An Emergency Pet Kit
Your pet’s emergency kit should include the following necessities:
• A leash, harness, or pet carrier to safely transport your pet
• Food and water
• Bowls for their food and water, and a can opener if they eat canned food
• First aid supplies
• Recent photographs of your pet should they get lost
• A bed and toys
You should also include any pertinent information regarding your pet’s medical conditions, behavioral tendencies, and dietary needs along with contact information for your pet’s trusted veterinarian to ensure they are taken care of if they need to be boarded and fostered.
Pre-Plan A Safe Location For Your Pet
As a general rule, if you have to be evacuated from your home, your pet does too. That means it’s important to have a pre-planned safe location that will accommodate your pet should you need to leave home in a hurry. You may write down the names and phone numbers of nearby hotels or motels that accept animals, as well as boarding facilities, shelters, and veterinary hospitals that will accept boards.
Practice Evacuation Drills
Having to evacuate your home due to a natural disaster can be frightening and stressful. As your pet watches you hurry around your home to prepare, they may feel overwhelmed too. It’s recommended to practice emergency drills with your pet to get them used to calmly entering their carriers to avoid adding further stress to the situation.
For more information on keeping your pet safe in the event of a natural disaster or home evacuation, contact your trusted veterinarian today.
