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Be Prepared with a Disaster Plan
The survival of you, your family, and your pets could depend on your personal disaster plan. The best way to protect your family from the effects of a disaster is to have a disaster plan. If you are a pet owner, that plan must include your pets. Being prepared can save their lives.
Different disasters require different responses. But whether the disaster is a hurricane or a hazardous spill, you may have to evacuate your home.
In the event of a disaster, if you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to evacuate them, too. Leaving pets behind, even if you try to create a safe place for them, is likely to result in their being injured, lost, or worse. So prepare now for the day when you and your pets may have to leave your home.
1. Have a Safe Place To Take Your Pets
Red Cross disaster shelters cannot accept pets because of states' health and safety regulations and other considerations. Service animals who assist people with disabilities are the only animals allowed in Red Cross shelters. It may be difficult, if not impossible, to find shelter for your animals in the midst of a disaster, so plan ahead. Do not wait until disaster strikes to do your research.
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Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check policies on accepting pets and restrictions on number, size, and species. Ask if "no pet" policies could be waived in an emergency. Keep a list of "pet friendly" places, including phone numbers, with other disaster information and supplies. If you have notice of an impending disaster, call ahead for reservations. |
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Ask friends, relatives, or others outside the affected area whether they could shelter your animals. If you have more than one pet, they may be more comfortable if kept together, but be prepared to house them separately. |
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Prepare a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians who could shelter animals in an emergency; include 24-hour phone numbers. |
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Ask local animal shelters if they provide emergency shelter or foster care for pets in a disaster. Animal shelters may be overburdened caring for the animals they already have as well as those displaced by a disaster, so this should be your last resort. |
2. Assemble a Portable Pet Disaster Supplies Kit Whether you are away from home for a day or a week, you'll need essential supplies. Keep items in an accessible place and store them in sturdy containers that can be carried easily (duffle bags, covered trash containers, etc.). Your pet disaster supplies kit should include:
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Medications, medical and vaccinations records (stored in a waterproof container), and a first aid kit. Remember that vaccination proof is required before they are accepted at boarding kennels and pet shelters. |
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Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and/or carriers to transport pets safely and ensure that your animals can't escape. |
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Have newspapers, plastic bags, cleansers, cat litter/pan, and disinfectants available to handle pet wastes. |
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Current photos of your pets in case they get lost. |
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Food, potable water, bowls, and can opener. |
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Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets. |
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Pet beds and toys, if easily transportable. |
3. Know What To Do As a Disaster Approaches
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Often, warnings are issued hours, even days, in advance. At the first hint of disaster, act to protect your pet. |
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Call ahead to confirm emergency shelter arrangements for you and your pets. |
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Check to be sure your pet disaster supplies are ready to take at a moment's notice. |
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Bring all pets into the house so that you won't have to search for them if you have to leave in a hurry. |
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Make sure all dogs and cats are wearing collars and securely fastened up-to-date identification. Attach the phone number and address of your temporary shelter, if you know it, or of a friend or relative outside the disaster area. You can buy temporary tags or put adhesive tape on the back of your pet's ID tag, adding information with an indelible pen. |
You may not be home when the evacuation order comes. Find out if a trusted neighbor would be willing to take your pets and meet you at a prearranged location. This person should be comfortable with your pets, know where your animals are likely to be, know where your pet disaster supplies kit is kept, and have a key to your home. If you use a petsitting service, they may be available to help, but discuss the possibility well in advance.
Planning and preparation will enable you to evacuate with your pets quickly and safely. But bear in mind that animals react differently under stress. Outside your home and in the car, keep dogs securely leashed. Transport cats in carriers. Don't leave animals unattended anywhere they can run off. The most trustworthy pets may panic, hide, try to escape, or even bite or scratch. And, when you return home, give your pets time to settle back into their routines. Consult your veterinarian if any behavior problems persist.
Caring for Birds in an Emergency
Birds should be transported in a secure travel cage or carrier. In cold weather, wrap a blanket over the carrier and warm up the car before placing birds inside. During warm weather, carry a plant mister to mist the birds' feathers periodically. Do not put water inside the carrier during transport. Provide a few slices of fresh fruits and vegetables with high water content. Have a photo for identification and leg bands. If the carrier does not have a perch, line it with paper towels and change them frequently. Try to keep the carrier in a quiet area. Do not let the birds out of the cage or carrier.
About Other Pets
Reptiles
Snakes can be transported in a pillowcase but they must be transferred to more secure housing when they reach the evacuation site. If your snakes require frequent feedings, carry food with you. Take a water bowl large enough for soaking as well as a heating pad. When you are transporting house lizards, follow the same directions as for birds.
Pocket Pets
Small mammals (hamsters, gerbils, etc.) should be transported in secure carriers suitable for maintaining the animals while sheltered. Take bedding materials, food bowls, and water bottles.
All animals brought to a pet shelter are required to have:
· Proper ID collar and current rabies tag
· Proper ID on all belongings
· Carrier or cage
· Leash
· Ample food supply (at least two days)
· Water / food bowls
· Any necessary medication(s)
· Specific care instructions (i.e., medication, diet, etc.)
· Newspapers, plastic trash bags for handling waste
Pet shelters will require proof that dogs have been vaccinated during the past 12 months. All pets brought to a pet evacuation center should have a proper identification collar with leash, a properly-sized plastic or wooden carrier that allows your pet to stand and turn around, ample food supply (for at least two days) with water and food bowls, any necessary medication(s), specific instructions for edification or diet, plus newspapers and plastic trash bags for handling waste.
Large animals also need to be considered in your plans. Know if you are located in a storm surge area and make plans to move animals to a safe area close to home. Remember livestock trailers are unstable in high winds and traffic will be moving very slowly on evacuation routes. Leave early! Even if you are not in an area subject to flooding you may want to consider evacuating horses if they are maintained in stables or small pastures, as they will be unable to avoid debris and collapsing buildings. The safest place for large animals to weather a storm is in a large pasture.
A Final Word
If you must evacuate, do not leave your animals behind. Evacuate them to a pre-arranged safe location if they cannot stay with your during the evacuation period. (Remember, pets are not allowed in Red Cross shelters.) If there is a possibility that disaster may strike while you are out of the house, there are precautions you can take to increase your pets' chances of survival, but they are not a substitute for evacuating with your pets. For more information, contact The Humane Society of the United States, Disaster Services, 2100 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20037.
During any Hurricane category local Hotels and Motels will be closed.
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