Preparing Your Pets for Emergencies Makes Sense.
If you are like millions of animal owners nationwide, your pet is an
important member of your household. The likelihood that you and your
animals will survive an emergency such as a fire or flood, tornado or
terrorist attack depends largely on emergency planning done today.
Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as
assembling an animal emergency supply kit and developing a pet care
buddy system, are the same for any emergency. Whether you decide to
stay put in an emergency or evacuate to a safer location, you will need
to make plans in advance for your pets. Keep in mind that what's best
for you is typically what's best for your animals.
If you must evacuate, take your pets with you if possible. However, if
you are going to a public shelter, it is important to understand that
animals may not be allowed inside. Plan in advance for shelter
alternatives that will work for both you and your pets.
Make a back-up emergency plan in case you can't care for your animals
yourself. Develop a buddy system with neighbors, friends and relatives
to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your
pets if you are unable to do so. Be prepared to improvise and use what
you have on hand to make it on your own for at least three days, maybe
longer.
Preparing for the unexpected makes sense. Get Ready Now.
This information was developed by the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security in consultation with: American Kennel Club, The American
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, American Veterinary
Medical Association, and The Humane Society of the U.S.
•1) Prepare - Get a Pet Emergency Supply Kit.
Just as you do with your family's emergency supply kit, think first
about the basics for survival, particularly food and water. Consider
two kits. In one, put everything you and your pets will need to stay
where you are. The other should be a lightweight, smaller version you
can take with you if you and your pets have to get away. Plus, be sure
to review your kits regularly to ensure that their contents, especially
foods and medicines, are fresh.
Food. Keep at least three days of food in an airtight, waterproof
container.
Water. Store at least three days of water specifically for your pets in
addition to water you need for yourself and your family.
Medicines and medical records. Keep an extra supply of medicines your
pet takes on a regular basis in a waterproof container
First aid kit. Talk to your veterinarian about what is most appropriate
for your pet's emergency medical needs. Most kits should include
cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors; antibiotic ointment;
flea and tick prevention; latex gloves, isopropyl alcohol and saline solution.
Include a pet first aid reference book. Collar with ID tag, harness or leash.
Your pet should wear a collar with its rabies tag and identification at all times.
Include a backup leash, collar and ID tag in your pet's emergency supply kit. In
addition, place copies of your pet's registration information, adoption
papers, vaccination documents and medical records in a clean plastic
bag or waterproof container and also add them to your kit. You should
also consider talking with your veterinarian about permanent
identification such as microchipping, and enrolling your pet in a
recovery database.
Crate or other pet carrier. If you need to evacuate in an emergency
situation take your pets and animals with you provided that it is
practical to do so. In many cases, your ability to do so will be aided
by having a sturdy, safe, comfortable crate or carrier ready for
transporting your pet. The carrier should be large enough for your pet
to stand, turn around and lie down.
Sanitation. Include pet litter and litter box if appropriate,
newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine
bleach to provide for your pet's sanitation needs. You can use bleach
as a disinfectant (dilute nine parts water to one part bleach), or in
an emergency you can also use it to purify water. Use 16 drops of
regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented
or color safe bleaches, or those with added cleaners.
A picture of you and your pet together. If you become separated from
your pet during an emergency, a picture of you and your pet together
will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you in
identifying your pet. Include detailed information about species,
breed, age, sex, color and distinguishing characteristics.
Familiar items. Put favorite toys, treats or bedding in your kit.
Familiar items can help reduce stress for your pet.
•2) Plan - What You Will Do in an Emergency.
Be prepared to assess the situation. Use whatever you have on hand to
take care of yourself and ensure your pet's safety during an emergency.
Depending on your circumstances and the nature of the emergency the
first important decision is whether you stay put or get away. You
should understand and plan for both possibilities. Use common sense and
the information you are learning here to determine if there is
immediate danger.
In any emergency, local authorities may or may not immediately be able
to provide information on what is happening and what you should do.
However, watch TV, listen to the radio or check the Internet for
instructions. If you're specifically told to evacuate, shelter-in-place
or seek medical treatment, do so immediately.
Create a plan to get away. Plan how you will assemble your pets and
anticipate where you will go. If you must evacuate, take your pets with
you if practical. If you go to a public shelter, keep in mind your
animals may not be allowed inside. Secure appropriate lodging in
advance depending on the number and type of animals in your care.
Consider family or friends willing to take in you and your pets in an
emergency. Other options may include: a hotel or motel that takes pets
or a boarding facility, such as a kennel or veterinary hospital that is
near an evacuation facility or your family's meeting place. Find out
before an emergency happens if any of these facilities in your area
might be viable options for you and your pets.
Develop a buddy system. Plan with neighbors, friends or relatives to
make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets
if you are unable to do so. Talk with your pet care buddy about your
evacuation plans and show them where you keep your pet's emergency
supply kit. Also designate specific locations, one in your immediate
neighborhood and another farther away, where you will meet in an
emergency.
Talk to your pet's veterinarian about emergency planning. Discuss the
types of things that you should include in your pet's emergency first
aid kit. Get the names of vets or veterinary hospitals in other cities
where you might need to seek temporary shelter. You should also
consider talking with your veterinarian about permanent identification
such as microchipping, and enrolling your pet in a recovery database.
If your pet is microchipped, keeping your emergency contact
information up to date and listed with a reliable recovery database is
essential to your being reunited with your pet.
Gather contact information for emergency animal treatment. Make a list
of contact information and addresses of area animal control agencies
including the Humane Society or SPCA, and emergency veterinary
hospitals. Keep one copy of these phone numbers with you and one in
your pet's emergency supply kit. Obtain "Pets Inside" stickers and
place them on your doors or windows, including information on the
number and types of pets in your home to alert firefighters and rescue
workers. Consider putting a phone number on the sticker where you could
be reached in an emergency. And, if time permits, remember to write
the words "Evacuated with Pets" across the stickers, should you flee
with your pets.
3) Stay Informed - Know About Types of Emergencies
Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as
assembling an emergency supply kit for yourself, your family and your
pets, is the same regardless of the type of emergency. However, it's
important to stay informed about what might happen and know what types
of emergencies are likely to affect your region as well as emergency
plans that have been established by your state and local government.
For more information about how to prepare, visit www.ready.gov or call
1-800-BE-READY.
Be prepared to adapt this information to your personal circumstances
and make every effort to follow instructions received from authorities
on the scene. With these simple preparations, you can be ready for the
unexpected. Those who take the time to prepare themselves and their
pets will likely encounter less difficulty, stress and worry. Take the
time now to get yourself and your pet ready.
Preparing for Your Pets Makes Sense.
