Pets are important members of your family, so they need to be included in your family’s emergency and evacuation plan. In an emergency or crisis, your pets will be even more dependent on you to keep them safe. And, if the situation is not safe for you it is not safe for them either!
Please note: Although these tips are streamed more for cats and dogs, some tips may apply to other types of pets such as birds, guinea pigs and other exotic animals.
In this mini-series, here are some tips to consider having ready for your fur family in the event of an emergency.
Before a Crisis, Emergency or Disaster
Here are some things to have ready before an emergency:
- A pet collar and name tag with up-to-date contact information and identification
- Proper equipment for pets for car rides like car carriers, harnesses and pet seat belts
- Keep a leash or harness in easy to get places near the exit
- Up to date, hard and electronic records of your pets health and veterinary records
- Make sure your pet vaccinations are up to date
- If available, microchip your pets and register the microchip as this is one of the best ways to make sure you and your pets can reunite if separated.
Make an emergency plan:
- Know a safe place for your pet to stay if they cannot be with you in the event of an evacuation from your home. This may include out of town relatives or friends and family with a more secure housing. Pets may not be allowed in local evacuation shelters and hotels unless they are service animals. Make sure the local pet shelters or animal hospitals are en-route or not too far from your evacuation centre and are familiar with your family and pet.
- Prepare a list of phone numbers to call and make reservations for your pets in the shelters. Ask hotels if they can lift the no pet policy in the case of an emergency. Be prepared that your pets may need to be housed separately
- If you are not at home and are unable to evacuate your pet in an emergency, ask a trusted friend or neighbour to look after your pet.
- In the event that you will be out of town, you should always have a Pet Emergency and Travel Kit prepared and ready for your trusted contact to take with them.
- Add your veterinary and local trusted animal hospital contact information in your pet emergency kit.
Create an Emergency Kit for your pets
Here is a list of things you should have prepared. Some things can be placed in a small duffle bag to be ready to carry and go:
- Pet Carrier for Each Pet with Name and Contact Information written on each; Bedding and Towels
- Medication that lasts for at least 3 weeks
- Food and Water for at least 2 weeks stored in Waterproof containers
- Sturdy leashes and harnesses
- Medical Summary Information (vaccination records, prescription information) In water proof container
- Pet Passport (incl. Recent photographs of pets, pet description, medical certificates, etc.) In water proof container
- Poop plastic bags and travel size litter and litter box
- Feeding and medications instructions for each Pet
- Flea and tick spray and medicine
- Pet cleaning supplies
- Toys and treats
- Necessary and immediate first aid supplies
Practice Pet Evacuation
As mentioned in an earlier tip in Creating a Family Emergency Plan, you should practice your evacuation plans with your family, and this includes practicing with you pet too, and designated friends or family know they are in charge of your pet in case of an emergency and allowing your pet to become familiar with them and their homes also.
- Make sure your pets are comfortable with their carrier.
- Practice transporting your pet in their carrier in a vehicle. See if your community shelter offers transportation for pets in case of an emergency.
- Have your entire family practice the plan and time yourselves to see what areas you could improve in.
Be on the lookout for tips for pets during a disaster.
