Include Your Pet in Your Emergency Plan to Keep Them Safe During A Disaster
It’s critical that we prepare our animal family members for possible calamities as well as ourselves as September approaches and Disaster Preparedness Month draws near. Chaos and uncertainty can ensue after a natural disaster, such as a storm, earthquake, or wildfire. On the other hand, making preparations in advance for your pet can really help. We have a duty to inform pet owners about the value of catastrophe preparation for their animals as veterinarians and animal clinics. The topic of this article is how to incorporate your pet into your disaster plan.
First and foremost, your pet must have an emergency kit. Food, water, medicine, a leash, a collar with tags for identification, and other items required for your pet’s comfort and well-being should be included. It could also be useful to have a carrier or container ready in case you have to flee.
Next, having a designated safe location for your pet is crucial if you cannot bring them during an evacuation. This could be a friend’s or family member’s house, a boarding facility, or a pet-friendly hotel. Make sure to have important contact information for this location readily available and information for local animal shelters and veterinary hospitals in case your pet becomes lost or injured.
In addition, it is crucial to ensure that your pet’s identification is up-to-date. This includes their collar tags as well as any microchip information. In the chaos of a disaster, pets can quickly become separated from their owners, but having updated identification can aid in their safe return home.
Lastly, it’s crucial to practice your emergency plan with your pet before a calamity strikes. This might involve practicing evacuation drills with your pet and introducing them to car journeys in their carrier or box to help them become accustomed to it.
We urge you to make the required preparations to include your pet in your disaster plan in observance of Disaster Preparedness Month. For further advice and help in keeping your pet safe, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions or concerns.