Don’t Forget About Pets When Disaster Planning

Don’t Forget About Pets When Disaster Planning

When you think about a disaster, many people think of protecting their families.  Many families have pets, and when preparing for any disaster it is important to include them in your plan.  There are many resources available to protect your pet during a disaster if you are not sure exactly where to start.

The first thing you can do to for your pet is to include them when you are making a plan for your family.  If you are planning for a tornado, your pet should be included. Someone responsible in your family should be delegated to get your pet to a safe place.  If you are making a plan for evacuation you should also provide the space and resources for your pet.  When you are practicing your plan, go ahead and practice with your pet as well, this is also good to help you see how long it will take and how your pet will react. 

When planning for a fire, it is important to think about keeping all pets on a floor in your home where they can escape easily.  You can also place a decal in a window near their sleeping quarters, this can help a fireman locate a pet faster and help them escape. 

If you are planning for a disaster where food and water may be limited to your family, remember food and water will be limited to your pet also.  You can plan for this by storing emergency dog and cat food rations.  You should also include them when planning for your families’ water supply; you should have enough water pouches or boxes for pets and family members.  Collapsible and disposable water and food bowls are a wonderful thing to have so you can feed and water your pet no matter where you are these are also easy to store.

You may have a first aid kit for your family, but if your pet was injured you may not have the resources to treat them because a pets anatomy and physiology is different from a human.  An emergency pet first aid kit is something else that should be on hand in case of emergency just in case your pet is injured and a trip to the veterinarian is not available.  An emergency pet first id kit is designed to protect your pet from nose to tail.  It is important to have a pet first aid guide to help you treat your pet in case of injury or emergency.

One of the best ways to protect your pet during and after a disaster is to keep a cat or dog survival kit on hand.  If you have multiple dogs or cats you should keep a kit designed for multiples.  A kit can provide many items you may forget, especially during a disaster. 

Most shelters and hotels do not accept pets, especially during a disaster.  You should try and make arrangements for your pet if you have warning of an impending disaster.  Your pet will usually try to flee on his or her own and if possible they should not be restrained during a disaster.  If you have a friend or neighbor that is aware of your pet, they could help during a house fire or other disaster to recover and care for your pet.  A microchip device is offered in many states and will track and locate your pet if you become separated.  This service is priced very reasonably in most states.

Do not wait until the last minute to think about protecting your pet; it may cost you precious time.  If you implement a plan that includes your pet and family you can take cover or evacuate without sparing precious time.  Survival items for pets are small items that can provide them with the basic essentials to promote survival during any disaster.