Natural disasters can be just as terrifying for your pets as they are for you. If you live in an area that regularly experiences natural disasters, you can plan ahead to minimize the stress and risk to your pet. Here are some tips to help keep your pet safe during a natural disaster.
Make a plan for where your pets will stay
If you have to evacuate your home, your pets will need to be evacuated, too. Many shelters can’t or won’t accept pets, so you need to have a plan in place for keeping your pets safe. Arrange to take them to a friend or relative’s house if possible, or contact your local animal shelters and pet hotels to see if they’ll be sheltering pets during this time.
As a last resort, if you absolutely must leave your pets behind at home, lock them in a bathroom with plenty of drinking water and food until you can return for them. Be sure to put a sticker in your window or sign on your door that lets rescue workers know you have pets in case they come looking in your home.
Make sure your pet has proper ID
If you get separated from your pet during a natural disaster, proper identification can help reunite you. Tags can be lost or damaged, but if you have your pet microchipped and keep the contact information up to date, your pet can be reunited with you easily and quickly.
It’s also a good idea to keep your pet up to date on vaccinations so that they don’t become ill by coming into contact with other animals while they’re separated from you.
Keep a pet emergency kit on hand
Just as you’d keep an emergency kit on hand for yourself, keep one for your pets, too. Include food and bottled water (two weeks’ supply should be adequate) as well as bowls for feeding and drinking.
Also include any medications that your pet takes and first aid supplies in case your pet gets injured. Many human first aid products, such as bandages, tape, and scissors, can also be used for pets, so you can save room and combine your first aid kits.Don’t forget to pack cleaning supplies and poop bags to clean up after your pet eliminates.