Disaster Preparedness for Pets

“When disaster strikes, always keep your pets with
you. If it isn’t safe for you to stay put, it isn’t safe
for your pets.” This advice is offered by the Humane Society
web page.

In this time of heightened terror alerts, blizzards and
hurricanes, it seems timely to discuss what should be done for
pets in the event of an emergency. Whether it is necessary to
evacuate (for a terrorist attack) or hunker down (for hurricanes
and blizzards), having a plan ahead of time makes sense for
people and animals alike. The Humane Society website
(www.hsus.org/ace18732) is a wealth of information for any
concerned pet owner.

Basic considerations during emergency planning and
preparation for your pets include the following:

1. Do not ever leave your pets behind if you are evacuating.
   Have carriers available for each small pet, and put the
   animals in them at the first suggestion that you may need to
   evacuate. (Have you ever taken half a day to catch your cat
   simply to bring it to the veterinarian?)
   


2. Remember, if you are preparing to evacuate, your
   veterinarian, boarding kennel, and the animal shelter may be
   closed (and evacuating) as well. Their employees will be
   dealing with the same kinds of crisis you are, so look elsewhere
   (i.e. out of the area) to board your pets. (However, be assured
   that those pets in our care at the time will be taken care of.)
   


3. Make sure that your pets have some sort of identification
   on them and on any carrier they are in. Permanent
   identification in the form of tattoos or microchips is best, and
   both are available at our hospital. Collars and tags can be lost,
   but pets with permanent identification have a much better
   chance of being reunited with their owners.
   


4. Have plenty of your pet’s medications available and
   readily accessible in the event that you have to leave in a hurry.
   


5. Keep a copy of your pet’s vaccination history with
   your important papers at all times. We can provide an extra
   copy for you at any time.
   


6. Make sure pet food and water is part of your emergency
   supply kit.
   

There are lots of other details that could be discussed, but
the important thing is to think ahead and be prepared. If you
have questions, discuss them with a staff member. We all hope
there will never be a need for any of this, but it is prudent to be
prepared