Pets
play a starring role in many households and are important members of the
family. If you have pets, would you know how to protect and care for them in
the face of a hurricane, flood or tornado? Without advance planning and proper
action, they could become innocent victims. Here are some tips on caring for
your valued pets before, during and after a disaster.
Preparation tips
- Contact your local animal shelter, humane
society, and veterinarian or emergency management office. Find out if
public shelters allow animals, or if special shelters for pets are
established during an emergency. Will your veterinarian or local humane
society care for your pets temporarily? Make sure guide dogs for persons
who are blind, hearing-impaired or disabled are allowed to accompany their
owners.
- Prepare for the possibility that you may have
to leave your pets behind if you evacuate your home. Pick a safe location,
preferably an easy-to-clean room with a fresh water supply like a bathroom
or utility room. High counters would allow the pet to escape floodwaters.
Cats and dogs should have separate locations, even if they normally get
along together. Their behavior may change during an emergency.
- Buy a pet carrier and train your pet to become
comfortable in it. It's always best to take your pet with you, and the
carrier will make it safer and easier.
- If your pet requires medication or a special
diet, ask your veterinarian what to do in case you have to leave it alone
for a few days.
- Make sure your pet has an identification tag
that has your name, address and phone number. Replace a chain link collar
with leather or nylon collar.
When assembling emergency supplies for the family,
include these items for your pets: extra food (preferably dry) in sturdy
containers, kitty litter, large self-feeder and water dispenser, and extra
medications. Birds need food every day. Make sure they have adequate food
dispensers. Make copies of your pets'
- shot records. Most kennels require proof of
current rabies and distemper vaccinations.
Safety tips
- Don't wait for severe weather to strike before
bringing pets inside. They could panic and run away. Never leave a pet
tied up outside during a storm.
- Don't tranquilize pets. It could dull their
survival instincts and lead to harm.
- If you must evacuate and leave a pet behind,
prepare the safe location you have chosen with the pet's favorite toys and
bedding, a supply of dry food and water in a sturdy, no-spill container.
Consider turning on a faucet to let water drip into a big container. If
you leave a pet in a bathroom, leave some water in the bathtub.
- Make sure birds are caged. Cover the cage with
a thin cloth to provide security and filtered light.
- If you take your pets with you, be sure to
carry their emergency supplies with you.
Recovery tips
- Leash your pets when they go outside during the
first few days after a disaster or storm and pay special attention to
their whereabouts. Familiar scents and landmarks may be changed or gone,
and they could become confused or lost.
- Keep pets away from downed power lines.
- Protect the pets from snakes and other small
animals and insects that may appear in the aftermath of floods.
This
section highlights examples of safety precautions that you can consider when
making emergency preparations for your pet. Please recognize that a particular
precaution may not be appropriate or effective in every circumstance. We
encourage you to use your own good judgment about what's appropriate.
