| Emergency Preparedness Tips for Pet Owners | | | | Tip #3. Get your pets familiar with their carriers |
| brought to you by | | | | or crates. |
| Disasters can happen anywhere at any time. The | | | | Usually, pets associate them with visits to the vet |
| public doesn’t usually get a lot of notice | | | | and become stressed at the first site of them. |
| before a disaster strikes, so you must be | | | | Let your pets play in the carrier or get them |
| prepared in advance and know what to do quickly | | | | some treats to make the transition easier when |
| if there is an emergency. | | | | the time comes. |
| Here are 5 simple steps that you can take to | | | | Tip #4. Know your pets hiding places in and out |
| prepare your pets and reduce the level of stress | | | | of the house. |
| and worry for your entire family to a minimum. | | | | At the first warning of a disaster, you might |
| Tip #1. Get a Pet Emergency Supplies Kit. | | | | consider putting them in one room in case you |
| Have it readily accessible and make sure it | | | | have to leave in a hurry. |
| consists of at least the following items: | | | | Tip #5. Have a Family Emergency Plan Ready: |
| - Pet first aid kit that will cover your pets’ | | | | - Map out a get-away plan: how you pack your |
| emergency medical needs. If your pets take any | | | | pets, where you go. |
| medications, add some extra supplies. | | | | - Check with the nearby shelters, veterinary |
| - Food (in water proof container) and water, | | | | hospitals, and hotels to see if they would take |
| 3-day ration. | | | | your pets in an emergency. |
| - Collars with ID tags - make sure the information | | | | - Develop a pet care buddy system – |
| is current and updated. You might consider | | | | arrange for friends or extended family to take |
| microchipping as permanent identification as collars | | | | your pets in if you must evacuate in a shelter |
| get lost. | | | | that doesn’t allow pets for health issues. |
| - Safety harness and leash. | | | | Instruct your caretakers on the location of the |
| - Sanitation Items. | | | | emergency supplies kit and anything else you |
| - Rescue Pet Decals – to alert rescue | | | | might find useful. |
| teams to save your pets inside the house. | | | | - Learn about various disasters that could strike |
| - Comfort toys and blankets to take with your | | | | your particular area. You might have to wait |
| pets if you have to evacuate. | | | | home longer before getting an order to evacuate, |
| Tip #2. Pack a picture of your pets in case you | | | | so get some extra supplies of food and water. |
| get separated. | | | | - If you have to evacuate, take your pets with |
| It will help rescue workers to identify and reunite | | | | you if possible. |
| you with your pets faster. | | | | |