A Disaster Plan for Your Pets

Natural disasters can occur at anytime and any place. It is advisable for you and your family to have a disaster plan ready, including a disaster plan for your pets.

A Disaster Plan for Your Pets - Take Your Pets With You

Many times when a natural disaster is imminent, evacuation of your home is necessary. If you and your family must leave your home because it is too dangerous to stay, it is also too dangerous for your pets. Take your pets with you when you leave.

A Disaster Plan for Your Pets - Don't Let Your Pets Fend for Themselves

Whether your pets are left inside your home or outside your home, they could be injured, killed or lost when the natural disaster strikes. At the very least, they will be terrified. If inside, your pets may try to escape through a window or a damaged area of the home. If left outside, your pets will be directly exposed to the natural disaster. They may run looking for a way to escape or hide from the disaster.

A Disaster Plan for Your Pets - Leave Early

The key to taking your pets with you is to leave your home early, as soon as evacuation is recommended by officials. This will give you time to get to a safe area away from the natural disaster. It will also give you time to find a hotel that accepts pets or reach the destination of the home of a friend or relative. Make sure that your pet is wearing their rabies vaccination tag, if applicable, and an identification tag.

If you wait until a mandatory evacuation is ordered, officials may be force you and your family to leave your home without your pets. Even if they do allow you to take your pets with you, you may be forced to go to a public shelter which does not accept pets.

If you ignore the mandatory evacuation order, you and your family may need to be rescued during or after the natural disaster. Rescue workers may have orders to only rescue human beings and may not rescue your pets along with you.

During and after hurricane Katrina, many who did not evacuate their homes were rescued by boat. In many cases, pets were left behind and were either killed, injured or lost forever. Don't let this happen to one of your pets.

A Disaster Plan for Your Pets - Have a Disaster Kit Ready for Your Pet

Just as it is advisable to have a disaster kit ready for your family, you should also have one for your pets. A disaster kit for your pet should include the following items:

List of pet friendly hotels outside your area

Leashes and collars

Pet food

Pet water

Pet supplements, if applicable

Pet food and water bowls

Pet feeding instructions

Litter box, litter and scoop, if applicable

Pet's medication, if applicable

Pet's health records

Pet's veterinarian's name, address and phone number

Photos of each pet with pet name written on the back

Photos of you and your family with pets

Name, address and phone numbers of several dog friendly contacts

Pet grooming supplies

Paper towels, wipes and plastic trash bags

Manual can opener and plastic spoons, if applicable

Portable pet carriers

Pet first aid kit

Any other items you deem necessary

Remember that it is up to you, the responsible pet owner, to safeguard the life of your pets. Have your disaster plan for your pets ready in case of a possible natural disaster in your area.