Protecting Your Pet During a Disaster
The best way to protect your family in a disaster is by having a good disaster plan, and that plan should include your pet. Since most public shelters exclude pets, it is essential that, as a pet owner, you plan ahead, so that if you must evacuate, you won't be forced to leave your animals behind.
Following the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes, thousands of pets were left to fend for themselves and most were lost, injured or killed. To keep this from happing to your pet, consider the following:
Find a Safe Place Ahead of Time
- Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check policies on accepting pets.
- Make a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians outside your area that might be able to shelter pets in an emergency. Include emergency phone numbers.
- Ask your local humane society or emergency management agency for information regarding community disaster response plans which might include pets.
- In the event you are not home when disaster strikes, make advance arrangements to have friend or neighbor pick up your pets and meet you at a specified location.
Make a Disaster Kit for Your Pets
Just as you should have a disaster kit for your family, containing important papers and other key items, you should prepare a similar kit for your pets. It should contain the following:
- Medication and medical records (including proof of rabies vaccination) in a waterproof container.
- Leashes, harnesses and carriers for transporting pets.
- A muzzle, if your pet requires one.
- Food and water for three days; a manual can opener.
- Cat litter and litter box.
- Current photo and description of your pet in case you become separated.
- Name and phone number of your veterinarian.
- Insurance company contact information and policy number, if you have pet insurance.
If You Evacuate, Take Your Pets
- Be prepared to leave early; don't wait for an official evacuation as you might be ordered to leave your pets behind.
- Keep pets on leashes or in carriers at all times.
- Your pet should wear up-to-date identification at all times. Include the phone number of a friend or relative outside your area in case your pet is lost and you cannot be reached.
After the Storm
- Once you return to your home, don't allow your pets to roam loose. Familiar landmarks and smells might be gone, and your pet may be disoriented. Pets can easily get lost in these situations.
- Be patient. Try to get your pets back into their normal routines as soon as possible, and be on the lookout for stress-related behavioral problems-if these persist, talk to your veterinarian.
For more information about pets and disaster planning, contact the Humane Society of the United States ( http://www.hsus.org ).
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