Take Me To Post Comment Form THE SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES EXPERIENCES A VARIETY OF NATURAL DISASTERS — including wildfires, flash floods and severe thunderstorms. These and other emergency situations, such as hazardous materials spills or even terrorism, may force you to leave your home for extended periods of time.

It is imperative that you make preparations to evacuate your family and your pets in any situation. In the event of a disaster or other need for evacuation, proper planning will pay off with the safety of your family and pets. The following are steps that you can take to be better prepared to care for your pets in a disaster.

If You Evacuate, TAKE YOUR PETS!!!

The single most important thing you can do to protect your pets if you evacuate is to take them with you. If it’s not safe for you to stay in the disaster area, it’s not safe for your pets. Animals left inside your home can escape through damaged areas, such as broken windows and become lost, injured, or killed. Animals turned loose to fend for themselves are likely to become victims of exposure, starvation, predators, contaminated food or water or accidents. Leaving dogs tied or chained outside in a disaster is simply a death sentence.

-If you leave, even if you think you may be gone only for a few hours, take your animals. Once you leave your home, you have no way of knowing how long you’ll be kept out of the area, and you may not be able to go back for your pets.

-Leave early—don’t wait for a mandatory evacuation order. If you wait to be evacuated by emergency officials, you may be told to leave your pets behind. An unnecessary trip is far better than waiting too long to leave safely with your pets.

-A disaster may strike when you’re at work or out of the house, leaving you unable to return home for your pets in time. Make arrangements well in advance for a trusted neighbor to take your pets and meet you at a specified location. Be sure that the person is comfortable with your pets (and vice-versa), knows where your animals are likely to be, knows where your disaster supplies are kept, and has a key to your home.

Find a Safe Place Ahead of Time

Because human-service evacuation shelters generally don’t allow pets (except for service animals) you must plan ahead to ensure that your family and pets will have a safe place to stay. Don’t wait until disaster strikes to do your research.

-Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check policies on accepting pets. Ask about any restrictions on number, size and species. Ask if “no pet policies would be waived in an emergency. Make a list of pet-friendly places and keep it handy. Call ahead for a reservation as soon as you think you might have to leave your home.

-Check with friends, relatives, or others outside your immediate area. Ask if they would be able to shelter you and your animals, or just your animals, if necessary. If you have more than one pet, be prepared to house them separately.

-Make a list of boarding facilities and veterinary offices that might be able to shelter animals in emergencies. Be sure to include their 24-hour telephone numbers.

-Your pets should have up-to-date identification at all times. It’s a good idea to include the phone number of a friend or relative outside your immediate area. If your pet becomes lost, you want to provide a number on the tag that will be answered even if you’re out of your home. And remember that your home number is of no use if you’re not there due to an evacuation.

Disaster Supply Checklist for Pets

Every member of your family should know what he or she needs to take when you evacuate. You also need to prepare supplies for your pet. Stock up on nonperishables well ahead of time, add perishable items at the last minute, and have everything ready to go at a moment’s notice. Keep everything accessible, stored in sturdy containers (duffel bags, covered trash containers, etc.) that can be carried easily. In your disaster kit, you should include:

-Medications and medical records stored in a waterproof container and a first aid kit. A pet first aid book also is good to include.

-Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and carriers to transport pets safely and to ensure that your pets can’t escape. Carriers should be well ventilated and large enough for the animal to stand comfortably, turn around, and lie down. Your pet may have to stay in the carrier for hours at a time while you have taken shelter away from home. Be sure to have a secure cage with no loose objects inside it to accommodate smaller pets. These may require blankets or towels for bedding and warmth, and other special items.

-Current photos and descriptions of your pets to help others identify them in case you and your pets become separated, and to prove that they are yours.

-Food and water for at least three days for each pet; bowls; cat litter and litter box; and a manual can opener.

-Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior challenges and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to board your pets or place them in foster care.

-Pet beds and toys, if you can easily take them, to reduce stress.

-Other useful items include newspapers, paper towels, small plastic bags, grooming items and household bleach.

When You Return Home

Planning and preparation will help you and your family weather the disaster, but your home may be a very different place afterward, whether you have taken shelter at home or elsewhere.

-Don’t allow your pets to roam loose. Familiar landmarks and smells might be gone, and your pet will probably be disoriented. Pets can easily get lost in such situations.

-For a few days, keep dogs on leashes and keep cats in carriers inside the house. If your house is damaged, they could escape and become lost.

-Be patient with your pets after a disaster. Try to get them back into their normal routines as soon as possible, and be ready for behavioral problems that may result from the stress of the situation. If behavioral problems persist, or if your pet seems to be having any health problems, talk to your veterinarian.