Are Your Pets Safe During a Disaster?

Disasters such as tornado, hurricane, explosion, flood or ice storm can leave thousands of victims homeless—victims that include family pets. When disaster strikes, you go to a nearby shelter. But what about companion animals: Where do they go?

If you must evacuate your home, please have a disaster plan for your pet. Remember, most emergency shelters will not allow animals because of health codes. You want to get you, your family and your pets out of danger as quickly and safely as possible.

Never leave companion animals tied up or caged outdoors during a disaster. They could become frightened and escape. Worse still, your pet could be injured or killed if left outside during an emergency situation.

Below are some helpful guidelines for companion animal disaster planning:

Emergency pet disaster kit
Prepare an emergency pet disaster kit and place it with or near your family emergency disaster kit. Inform all family members where the pet disaster kit is located.

A pet emergency disaster kit should include the following:

• medications
• proof of vaccinations
• list of serious illnesses/conditions
• first aid kit
• sturdy 4–6 foot lead
• current photo of your pet
• food for up to one week minimum per pet
• bottled water for up to one week minimum per pet
• bowls
• disposable litter pans (with litter)
• hand-held can opener
• the name and phone number of your current veterinarian
• familiar toy
• crate, carrier or cage per pet
• towels
• list of hotels, animal shelters, kennels and animal hospitals that accept pets during an emergency

Loving new parents, Donald and Fran Ludlow with Scooby

Identification
Make sure your pets have an ID tag with your current address and mobile phone number in case they are separated from you.

Temporary emergency shelter
Talk with friends and family about housing your pets in the event of a disaster. Have a backup plan in case they live in an affected area as well.

Contact hotels within and outside of your immediate area regarding pet policies during an emergency. Make a list of the ones that will accept pets, including address, phone number and pet policies (e.g., weight limit, number of pets allowed). Place a copy in your disaster kit.

Check with your local animal hospital, kennels and animal shelters to see if they board pets during an emergency. Make a list that includes address and phone numbers. Place a copy in your disaster kit.

Always call before you head out to make sure the emergency shelter or hotel has room for your pets.

If you can’t get to your pets
Exchange keys with a neighbor so he/she can get to your pets if you are not able to make it home. Make sure he/she knows where your disaster kit is located.

Place pet finder stickers to alert rescue workers and neighbors that you have animals. You may want to write your cell phone number and where the pet disaster kit is located on the stickers.

Elderly and persons with disabilities
If you have an elderly family member or neighbor who has pets, please make a disaster kit for them as well. Please make arrangements to have them and their pets safely relocated during an emergency.

Additional tips
Don't forget birds, fish, reptiles, small animals and livestock!

For more information on emergency pet preparations in your area, contact your local animal hospital, American Red Cross or animal shelter.