When Disaster Strikes, Your Pets Rely on YOU to be Ready!
Nobody wants to lose their loved ones in the midst of a natural disaster. Hundreds of cats and dogs are lost and never returned to their owners due to natural disasters. From earthquakes to wildfires, these events can be very scary and can happen without warning. When disaster strikes, your pet relies on you to be ready!
Have an evacuation kit for each pet and an emergency plan for all scenarios. In case you can’t evacuate your home, establish a safety spot that is safe for you and frightened pets. This location needs to have thick walls, without things hanging from the ceiling or wall, and free of crevasses or openings where anxious pets can hide or escape.
Stock your safe area or bunker with survival items. A generator is a key item that every bunker needs; when the power goes out, you will be able to pump power into radios, lights, and kitchen appliances. Other items to include would be bottled water, non-perishable food, candles, matches and blankets. This would also be a good place to put your animals’ survival kit so you don’t need to search for it when disaster hits.
If you must leave your home, have a list of pet-friendly accommodations and emergency centers to ensure you can take pets with you.
Here is a list of basic items to include in your pets’ disaster kits:
- Food/Water: Enough to last your pet at least a week. Travel size feeding dishes.
- Proof of ownership: Include pictures, documents/records in case you are separated.
- Vaccines and meds: Proof of vaccinations and supply of meds and/or copy of prescription if you need to board your pet.
- First aid kit: Gauze, disinfecting wipes, tweezers, ice packs, and a pet first-aid book.
- Leash/crates: Big enough for them to turn around, sit down, and stand up in case they need to be enclosed for long hours. Extra blankets and cleaning wipes for cleanup.
- Comforting toys or objects: Having familiar objects around is a good way to keep your pet calm during a stressful time.
Written by Nick Bragg, PR Intern