Emergency Preparedness
From DDOG
How will you ensure the safety of your pets in the event of an emergency evacuation? Are all their papers and medications easily at hand? If you're dog is injured on a hike, what will you do?
Almost 70,000 pets were either killed or abandoned after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005. We certainly can't be prepared for every possibility, but it is possible to prepare yourself to more easily locate your pet after an emergency has passed. Here, we offer some tips.
Adjust your first aid kit to treat the needs of your pet. Items you would want in a pet first aid kit are similar to those you would keep in your household first aid kit. If you prefer, set up a separate kit for your dog, but keep it alongside your household kit so it's just as easily accessible. This kit can also be used for hikes and other dog-friendly outings. Petfinder.com has a sample first aid list that you can use to build your own kit.
Take a pet first aid course. The Yolo County Red Cross offers pet first aid courses that will teach you how to recognize a pet emergency and treat appropriately until you are able to get to a veterinarian.
Let others know you have a pet in the house. Visit aspca.org to request a free window sticker to alert rescue personnel that your pets need rescue in case of an emergency.
Have your pets microchipped. Microchips don't slip off like collars, and you can easily update contact information if you move, transfer ownership or are leaving your pet with a friend while you're on vacation.
Keep a current photo and description of your pet. If your pet is lost, be prepared to respond quickly. Whether it's an emergency evacuation or Fido simply took himself on a walk, you can easily post fliers and provide shelter staff with an accurate description to reunite with your pet.
Store pet medications, care instructions and documentation together. Not only will storing these items together make weekend visits to the kennel much easier, you'll be able to grab just one bag in case of an emergency evacuation. The ability to provide proof of vaccinations and licensing will help you in case you need to drop off your pet if a levee breaks. Remember to keep a supply of anxiety medications on hand if your dog is prone to panic. Petfinder.com has a disaster kit checklist that will give you a starting point.
Have an emergency drop-off location for your pet. If you need to evacuate your home suddenly, there's no guarantee you'll be able to take your pets with you. Think about some of the emergencies that might come up in your area, and talk to a friend who would be willing to take care of your pet until you're able to return home. If you don't know anybody willing to commit to taking your pet in an emergency, locate some pet-friendly motels outside your potential evacuation area; keep this information with your pet documentation.
Know your neighbors and emergency shelters. After the crisis has passed, you may need to start looking for your pet if s/he's not with you. Your neighbors may know what happened to your pet if you were not home during the crisis. Have phone numbers for local shelters available and use the Internet to start posting photos and descriptions of your lost pets. Following are some Internet sites that can help:
- AKC-CAR (Companion Animal Recovery)
- (800) 252-7894
- Pets 911
- (888) PETS-911
- Pet Finders
- (800) 666-5678
- Help Me Find My Pet
- (866) 699-FIND
According to the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS) of 2006, state and local emergency preparedness operational plans must address the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster or emergency if they want to qualify for FEMA grant money.
