Below are a Few Highlights of Disaster Preparedness.
1. Identification: Microchipping your pet is the best way to identify them after a disaster. Even if your pet always wears a collar, the collar may come off or the ID tag may be difficult to read.
2. Update information: Always keep your contact information up to date. If you can, provide alternate phone numbers for family members who may be reached if you can not.
3. Know where to go: Plan ahead by knowing where to take your pet if you need to evacuate. Most temporary shelters will not allow pets. Some will, but you often won't know until the shelter is determined. Find out what hotels or other places are available nearby.
4. Prepare a disaster kit: Along with your family's disaster kit pack the following items for your pet
- Copies of veterinary records, licenses and vaccinations in a plastic bag
- Picture of you with your pet in plastic bag
- Important phone numbers such as veterinarian, kennel, emergency clinic, hotels which accept pets
- Familiar items and toys to make your pet feel comfortable
- Pet First Aid kit
- Flashlight or light sticks
- Medications and instructions as prescribed by your veterinarian in a sealed bag
- Extra leash and collar or harness for each animal with up to date identification
- Pet waste clean-up supplies and a small litter box and litter for cats
- Food and water(two week supply)
- Metal food and water dishes
- Spoon and manual can opener (for canned food)
- Old towels and extra bedding material like blankets
- Pet wipes to clean contaminated feet
- Cat carrier
- Pet treats
- For pocket pets and birds--have a portable cage ready.
Horses and farm animals require additional preparedness. For horses, be sure to bring their harness and to practice loading them onto the trailer ahead of time. Learn more about disaster preparedness for horses and farm animals.
When you do evacuate safely, be prepared for some unusual behavior from your pet. Know that he or she may hide, refuse to come to you when called, or even become aggressive towards others, simply out of fear. Take precautions to protect your pet and others in these situations.
