Include Your Pet in Your Disaster Plan to Keep Them Safe During A Disaster
September is Disaster Preparedness Month. It’s critical that we get our animal family members ready for any calamities in addition to ourselves. Disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires may cause chaos and uncertainty in their wake. But, making preparations in advance for your pet may really make a big impact. It is our duty as veterinarians and animal clinics to inform pet owners about the value of preparing their animals for disasters. We’ll look at how to incorporate your pet in your disaster plan in this blog.
First and foremost, it’s imperative that your pet have an emergency kit. Food, water, medicine, a leash, a collar with tags for identification, and other items required for your pet’s comfort and well-being should be included. It could also be useful to have a carrier or container ready in case you have to flee.
If you are unable to bring your pet with you during an evacuation, it is essential that they have a designated safe area. This might be a motel that allows pets, a boarding facility, or a friend’s or relative’s home. In case your pet becomes lost or hurt, make sure you have the phone number and other pertinent information for the local veterinarian clinic and animal shelters close at hand.
Furthermore, it is important to guarantee that the identity of your pet is current. This includes any information from their microchip and their collar tags. Pets can easily become separated from their owners in the turmoil of a crisis, but possessing current identification can help ensure their safe return home.
Lastly, it’s crucial to practice your emergency plan with your pet before a calamity strikes. This might involve practicing evacuation drills with your pet and introducing them to car journeys in their carrier or box to help them become accustomed to it.
We urge you to make the required preparations to include your pet in your disaster plan in observance of Disaster Preparedness Month. For further advice and help in keeping your pet safe, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions or concerns.