Pets and Disasters
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To many of us, our dogs, cats, birds, gerbils, potbellied pigs, iguanas, etc. are more than pets. They are family members. They enrich our lives and offer companionship. In turn, our pets depend on us for their well-being and safety. It's a responsibility that we can not take too lightly, especially in times of emergency and disaster.
In disasters, fences or gates may become disabled allowing pets to roam freely. Temperatures may drop below what dogs and cats can tolerate. Or dogs or cats may become disoriented due to weather conditions. It is best to avoid these occurrences by keeping pets with the rest of the family during a natural disaster and follow a few guidelines, such as:
- know which hotels will allow pets in the case of an evacuation
- ask your veterinarian about "microchipping" to avoid a lost pet
- don't forget to stock extra water for your pet along with your family's emergency stash
- bring pets inside at night during the winter and in the event of a disaster
- stock up on pet food at the first warning of a storm (and don't forget an extra can opener!)
- consider training your dog to act on a command to lead back to your car or home (dogs have been known to lead their owners back to their car/home after the owners have become lost on a hike, evacuation, etc.)
If you have pets, please take a few moments to educate yourself further on how to best prepare your pet for possible emergencies by visiting the links provided below.
Animals in Emergencies Video
Pet and Disaster Safety Checklist
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