Emergency Disaster Plan For Pets

This nation has been pummeled with natural disasters as of late. Over the past decades we have encountered tornadoes, floods, and snow storms that have beaten records and approached disaster status on several occasions. Where do your pets fit into all of this? Well, unless there is a plan in place, a lot of pets are lost in all the commotion. Shelters and neighbors have come across multitudes of homeless animals due to poor planning.

Pet Identification

You should have multiple ways to identify your pet in case he’s missing. The easiest way to ensure that you find your pet if they go missing is to outfit them with an ID collar. The tag should be complete with your pet’s name, your name, address, and phone number. An email address is a great thing to include in case you move often. If an honest person comes across your pet, this should be more than enough to have your pet safely returned to you.

Microchipping is another great way to identify your pet. This is a permanent marker that cannot get lost and that vets or shelters can scan in case your pet is lost and turned in.
Lodging with Your Pets

Knowing ahead of time where you can go with your pets will make everything much easier in the case of an emergency. Animal shelters and veterinary offices may offer services to help families rendered homeless. Keeping a list of animal-friendly hotels can come in handy in the wake of a disaster. The last thing you’ll want to do when you need a place to stay is call a bunch of places to find out where you can go with your pets.

If you have large animals, farm animals, or exotic pets, you can follow similar precautions. Livestock can be tagged or branded. You might want to talk to like-minded people in your area to see if they would be able to board your animals until you can find permanent housing in the case that you lose your home or part of it.

Traveling with Your Pets

Always have crates and carriers for all of your pets. This is very important if you need to leave with your pets. Whether you are just going to the vet or need to take your pets to a shelter or temporary home, you’ll need a safe and secure way to get them there. Keep an identification card attached to the crate with your current contact information.

Emergency Supply Kit

You should be prepared for any emergencies, which could include bleeding, cuts, and broken bones. Some common items to keep in a safety kit include:

Scissors
Bandages
Medications
Cotton
Tape
Antibiotic ointments
Flea prevention
Gloves
Alcohol
Saline solution
Garbage bags
Bleach

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