Disaster Preparation for Your
Pets
Pet owners want to do what's best for their pets in case of a disaster. For reasons related to health and space, pets are not allowed in public emergency shelters, including those run by the American Red Cross. The shelter must follow certain regulations, and not allowing pets is one of them. If you and your family need evacuation to a public shelter during a disaster, you must have planned in advance for the care of your dog and cat. Such planning could save your pet's life and make yours easier. The worst scenario, leaving your pets at home, can usually be avoided. You should keep your pets with you if at all possible. If your home isn't safe for you, it isn't safe for your pets.
In most states in the United States, service, guide, and hearing dogs are allowed to stay in emergency shelters with their owners; if you have one of these dogs, check with your local emergency management officials before a disaster hits.
Put together a disaster supply kit packed in a waterproof container for your pets. The container should have three days to a week's worth of food and water, medications, veterinary records, leashes or harnesses, a current photo of your pets for identification purposes, paper towels, litter pan and litter if you have a cat, sealable plastic bags, and an extra leash and collar. Use flip-top canned food or include a can opener. Place the photos in a sealable plastic bag. These items will be of use whether you evacuate or are sheltered in place. If your pet has medication that must be kept cool, keep the medication in one of the sealable plastic bags and ice it with ice from the Red Cross. Replace the food in your disaster kit on a regular basis so that it doesn't spoil.
You should have a steel or fiberglass pet carrier (portable kennel) or crate for each pet. Carriers should be large enough for the pet to stand up and turn around. Familiarize your pet with the carrier. If you have to confine cat(s) for a long period of time, have a carrier large enough to hold a shoebox sized litter box, a water and food dish, and room for the cat(s) to comfortably lie down. Ensure the carrier is properly ventilated and not left in the sun. If you must take the cat out, do so in a confined space as it may try to run away.
Be sure your pet's vaccinations and medical records are written and up-to-date. Most boarding facilities require proof of Core Vaccinations. Also, have documentation of any medicines with dosing instructions and name and phone number of the veterinarian who dispensed the drugs.
Be sure your pet wears a properly fitted collar with a current license tag, rabies tag and identification tag containing your name, animal's name, address and phone number. Also, provide an alternate identification tag with the name, address and phone number of a relative in a different area who could be contacted if you cannot. The very best would be to also insure permanent identification of your pet with a national registry using a microchip implant.
If you must shelter in place, keep an eye on their whereabouts in case you need to evacuate. Survey your home and determine the best location away from windows if possible to place your pet during an emergency-utility room, bathroom, kitchen or other tiled area that can be cleaned easily. It's best to bring them inside. Some animals will hide during severe weather changes, so bring them inside early and leash them when they are outside with you. Stock up on newspapers, plastic bags, cleanser, and disinfectants to properly handle pet wastes.
Having a buddy system in place before the disaster strikes is helpful, particularly if you are not at home when the disaster hits but your pets are. The buddy system allows a neighbor to have access to your home so your pets can be fed or removed by your neighbor. You can do the same for them.
If you need to evacuate, bring your pets with you even if you think you'll only be gone for a few hours; the severity of disasters can change quickly, and you may not be allowed to go back to your home to get them. It will help calm your pet if you bring a favorite blanket or toys.
Evacuating will be much easier if you already know in advance where you can go. Both the HSUS and FEMA suggest you contact hotels and motels outside your area so you know which ones accept pets; ask in advance about any restrictions on number, size, and species. Also ask if no pet policies are waived in an emergency. Make a list of the places you can go to and keep it with your emergency phone numbers; include area kennels on your list. Call ahead for a reservation as soon as you think you might have to leave your home.
Some local animal shelters allow pets to stay there during an emergency; find out in advance if yours does. Shelters have limited resources and space and their energies will be elsewhere during an emergency, so use this as a last resort. Other places you could contact are: boarding kennels, veterinary hospitals with boarding facilities, friends or relatives.
FEMA urges people to leave early and not wait for a mandatory evacuation order. If you delay leaving until emergency officials insist upon it, you may be told to leave your pets behind in a formal evacuation.
Unfortunately, there are times when no matter how solid your plans are, the specifics of the emergency dictate that your pets must remain at home. If your dog normally wears a chain link choker collar, have a leather or nylon collar available if you have to leave the dog alone for several days. FEMA suggests that you leave a two or three day supply of dry food, even if it's not the pet's usual food. Don't moisten the food. Leave the food in a sturdy container that the pet cannot overturn. Leave water in a no-spill container. If possible, open a faucet slightly and let the water drip into a big container. Large dogs may be able to obtain fresh water from a partially filled bathtub. Leave the pets in the safest room in the house, such as a basement or bathroom.
Other Pets
Birds: The American Red Cross suggests that 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. Put some fresh fruits and vegetables with high water content in the carrier. Have a photo for identification and leg bands. If the carrier doesn't have a perch, line it with paper towels and change them frequently. Don't let the birds out of the cage or carrier.
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.
At the Time of the Disaster:
Listen to the emergency broadcasting station on your portable radio for information about how to locate pet care providers offering services during the disaster.
If you plan to leave your home and must leave your pet behind, remember:
1. Bring your pet indoors. Do not leave your pet tied up outside.
2. Prepare and clean the pre-selected site in the house.
3. Leave only dry type foods. Use sturdy food containers.
4. Do not leave any treat type vitamins or mineral supplements. Overeating of these may cause poisoning if too much is consumed.
5. Water for pets should be left in bathtubs or other sturdy spill proof containers. Leave toilet seats up. Flush toilet before leaving.
6. Never leave a cat with a dog even if the two are normally friendly:
7. Keep small pets such, as birds, hamsters away from dogs and cats.
8. Put difficult or dangerous animals in large, sturdy crates or cages to reduce, the possibility of them getting loose.
9. Take your pet's immunizations and health records with you because records kept at home may be damaged during the disaster.
10. If you must evacuate your home and plan to take your pet to a boarding facility, motel or relative or friend's house, take all of the items you have acquired before the disaster including food, non-spill food and water containers, medications and your pet's vaccination and health records.
After the Disaster:
1. Be careful allowing your pet outdoors after the disaster. Familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and your pet could easily be confused and become lost. Downed power lines and raccoons, skunks or other wild animals that may have entered the area could present real dangers to your pet.
2. If your pet is lost during the disaster, contact veterinary hospitals, boarding kennels, animal control facilities and humane societies in your area. Also call the national lost pet hotline 1-900-535 1515 to report your loss. (This is a charge call.)
3. If you find a pet, contact your local humane society, any phone numbers that may have been set up during the disaster to report lost and found animals, or the national found pet hotline 1-800-755 8111.