When Disaster Strikes, Be Prepared for Your Pet

June is National Pet Preparedness Month. This is a time to focus on ensuring the safety and well-being of the animals in our lives, especially during emergencies. Are you prepared if disaster strikes? What are your plans if there is a house fire? Do you have an evacuation plan? How about a first aid kit? It is essential to take proactive steps to prepare for a potential catastrophe.

Preparedness Advice From an Expert

We turned to Rebecca Marshall, Communications Director for the American Red Cross Cascades Region, which serves Oregon and Southwest Washington, to get her help in understanding what we can do to prepare ourselves and the animals in our lives for the worst-case scenarios.

“We know that pets are family,” Marshall says. “We don’t want people to get into dangerous situations trying to save their animals.” Instead, it is important to make a plan to keep everyone safe and get everyone in the family on board.

The Red Cross offers a wealth of resources designed to assist individuals and families in preparing for emergencies, and the best part is that nearly all of these resources are free. We thoroughly reviewed the Red Cross resources and combined the information for you. In this guide, we will cover how to create a pet emergency plan, assemble a pet emergency kit, develop an emergency plan for livestock, and provide a list of top tips for keeping pets safe during a disaster.

Create a Pet Emergency Plan

Let’s start with a plan. Marshall emphasizes, “If it’s not safe for you to stay in your home during an emergency, it’s not safe for them either.” When creating your emergency plans, it’s essential to ensure that you include provisions for your entire family.

• Make a list. Collect information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets.
• Identify safe locations. Know where you can take your pets in an emergency. Research hotels and motels along your evacuation route that accept pets, and call ahead for reservations. Ask if no-pet policies can be waived during emergencies.
• Identify emergency care contacts. Compile a list of friends, relatives, boarding facilities, animal shelters, and veterinarians who can care for your pets. Include phone numbers for easy access.
• Find separate housing. Be prepared to house your pets separately if necessary, even if they are more comfortable together.
• Practice drills. Include your pets in evacuation drills to help them become accustomed to entering and traveling in their carriers calmly.
• Have vaccination and identification records. Ensure your pets’ vaccinations are current and that they wear collars with up-to-date identification. Many pet shelters require proof of vaccinations to prevent disease spread.
• Get them microchipped. Consider having your pet microchipped for added security.

Assemble a Pet Emergency Kit

A pet emergency kit is basically a comprehensive first aid kit for pets. You can always buy a first aid kit for your pet, but be sure to adapt it to your needs. By customizing your pet emergency kit with these essential items, you can ensure that you’re well-prepared to care for your animal family in any situation. Regularly check and update your kit to keep it current and effective.

• Container: Get a sturdy, easy-to-carry container.
• Identification photos: Current photos of you with your pets to assist in identification if they get lost.
• Care information and records: Details on feeding schedules, medical conditions, medical records, behavior issues, and your veterinarian’s contact information.
• Comfort items: Pet beds and toys, if easily transportable.
• Leashes and carriers: Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and carriers to transport pets safely.
• Food and water: Enough food, drinking water, bowls, cat litter/pan, and a manual can opener for canned food.

Emergency Plan for Livestock

In addition to the domesticated animals we share our lives with, some of us also have livestock to consider in case of an emergency. Red Cross Emergency Plans include livestock. These emergencies could be natural disasters or require evacuation. Once again, it is great to have a plan.

• Map your property. Create a map indicating buildings, access routes, blocked passages, animal locations, and hazardous substances.
• Get family or employee training. Review the emergency plan with your family or your employees (if you have them), ensuring they know where supplies and animals are located.
• Stockpile supplies. Keep supplies such as sandbags, ropes, extra food and water for livestock, hand tools, and a gas-powered generator.
• Plan evacuation routes. Plan evacuation routes and ensure your destination has the necessary resources for your animals.
• Identify sheltering strategies. If sheltering in place, remove animals from pastures and provide food and water in a safe structure. Consider leaving livestock in pastures to allow them to protect themselves. Sometimes, that is the best practice for the safety of the animals.
• Flood Preparedness- Relocate animals to higher ground in the event of flooding.

Top Tips for Keeping Pets Safe During a Disaster

Marshall provides some excellent tips to help everyone prepare for any challenges they may face. She emphasizes, “If it’s unsafe for you, it’s unsafe for your pets.” To ensure the safety of both people and animals, she encourages creating a comprehensive emergency plan that includes secure evacuation routes, essential supplies, and regular practice drills. By being proactive, families can minimize risks and ensure that their pets are cared for during emergencies. Here are Marshall’s suggestions:

• Get the apps. The Red Cross has two apps that could be paramount for people and their pets. The first app is the Emergency App. It was created to help people stay safe during emergencies with expert tips and useful tools. The second is the free Red Cross Pet First Aid App. The app assists pet owners in keeping their pets safe by providing information on essential emergency supplies, advising when to contact a veterinarian, and locating pet care facilities or pet-friendly hotels.
• Fill the tank. Keep tank 1/2 full of gas at all times. Then you are ready for the unexpected.
• Back it up. Back your car in your driveway so you are able to leave quickly.
• Get together. When things are looking like you may have to move the animals, have them all in one room to make it easier to grab them and go.
• Have working smoke detectors. A house fire can happen at any time to anyone. Make sure to have a working smoke detector.
• Have a plan. Create an evacuation plan that accommodates your pets.
• Make a bug-out bag. Have a bag packed with essential items for every member of your family, including your animal family members.

Conclusion

As we recognize June as National Pet Preparedness Month, it is so important to reflect on the responsibilities we have as pet owners. Because our pets are not just animals, but beloved members of our families who rely on us for their safety and well-being, especially during times of emergency. When dealing with the unpredictability of disasters, whether natural events like hurricanes or floods or artificial situations such as house fires, it shows the importance of being prepared for anything that comes your way.

Creating a comprehensive emergency plan that includes our pets is essential. Rebecca Marshall’s insights remind us that preparation is not just about having the right materials; it’s also about fostering a mindset of readiness and safety. By involving all family members in the planning process, we build a cohesive unit that can respond effectively when challenges arise. And the resources provided by organizations like the Red Cross are invaluable. They offer practical guidance and tools to help pet owners navigate emergencies with confidence. Utilizing these resources, along with expert tips, enables us to establish a robust safety net for our family.

The time to prepare is now, so evaluate your current plans, assemble your emergency kits, and ensure that your pets are included in every aspect of your preparedness strategy.