All owners want to keep their pets safe in emergencies. So, how do you protect your animals during extreme weather? Disaster preparedness is the key to ensuring the safety of people and animals in your home.
Emergencies such as fire or hurricanes can happen suddenly. So, have a plan in place to keep your pet safe. Build a disaster kit for animals in your home just like you would for yourself and your family. Knowing what to do during an emergency can keep you and your furry friends secure.
What do I do with pets during an evacuation?
When evacuating, always bring your pets or arrange a safe place for them. An area that is not safe for humans is also not safe for animals. However, public shelters in New Jersey do not allow pets except for ADA service dogs. So, identify hotels and boarding kennels outside your immediate area that could accommodate you. Likewise, see if friends or relatives will take in your pet if needed. Make a prioritized list of available options in case some are unavailable.
Pet Preparedness Planning
Emergency situations can be stressful and confusing. Fortunately, advanced planning reduces in-the-moment decision-making. Start by ensuring all vaccinations, flea treatment, and heartworm medications are up-to-date. Likewise, renew your New Jersey dog license once a year. And pets should always wear collars with current tags with your name and phone number. You may also want to have them microchipped in case they get lost.
Keeping pets safe in emergencies requires being ready to go at a moment’s notice. So, keep a leash or carrier in your car or near the door. In addition, designate a trusted person to care for your pet if you’re away from home during a disaster. For example, swap keys with a neighbor so you can check on each other’s animals.
Pet Emergency Kit
When making emergency kits for your family, remember your fur babies as well. Prepare two survival kits — one for sheltering-in-pace and a light version for evacuations. Rotate food in these kits every two months to make sure the contents are fresh.
- Food for seven days in an airtight container
- Water for seven days
- Food and water bowls
- Medicine
- Pet first aid kit and guidebook
- Extra harness and leash
- Scoop-able litter for cats
- Blanket
- Flashlight
- Familiar toys
- Grooming items
- Paper towels
- Plastic bags
- Disinfectant
Emergency Pet File
The CDC recommends creating a file of important information about your pet. In addition, keep hard copies of essential documents in your evacuation kit.
- Veterinary and vaccination records
- Medical summary
- Prescriptions for medications
- Most recent test results
- Description of name, sex, breed, color, and weight
- Recent photograph
- Microchip number
- Your vet’s contact information
Practice Evacuations to Keep Pets Safe in Emergencies
Animals are creatures of habit, and unfamiliar situations can be scary. Practice evacuations help make the real thing more familiar. For example, identify your cat’s hiding spots and practice moving them from that location into a carrier. Have the entire family run an evacuation drill, so everyone knows what to take and where to go.
Sheltering in Place with Pets
In some situations, hunkering down is a better way to keep pets safe in emergencies. Prepare a plan in advance to ensure you are ready to shelter in place if need be.
- Pick an interior room for your shelter-in-place location
- Make the room pet-safe by removing toxic chemicals or plants
- Close off small areas where frightened cats might become entrapped
- Store the emergency kit in that room, so you’re ready to shelter at any time
Caring for Pets
We know how important it is to keep pets safe in emergencies because a well-cared-for animal is a happy one. That’s why Tarheel Pet Care treats your fur babies like our own. So call on us for your grooming, boarding, and walking needs.
