Our pets are an important part of our family. As a result, we must care for them the same way we care for our family members. When a disaster strikes, the lives of household pets are among the most endangered. Emergency evacuation of animals during any type of emergency, whether a hurricane, wildfire, or earthquake, adds stress to an already stressful situation. You are responsible for your pets. Failure to plan for your pets' safety during an emergency endangers everyone's lives.
Pets, owners, and emergency workers can all be threatened if pets are not included in evacuation plans. Even if you try to keep them safe, pets left behind during a disaster are likely injured, lost, or worse. Plan emergency boarding for pets and create a disaster kit for your pet. Your pets will rely more on you for their safety and well-being in an emergency. By planning ahead of time, you can avoid the worst-case scenario.
With a few simple precautions, you can ensure that your pet is safe, secure, and healthy during and after any emergency. You may not have time to prepare for your pet's specific needs if you are in the midst of a disaster or are aware that one is imminent. Now is the time to start thinking about pet preparedness, and here are some ideas.
Essential measures to follow:
Understanding and being prepared for potential threats in your area is the goal of pet evacuation planning. Visit Ready.gov to learn more about disaster preparation for floods, hurricanes, and wildfires. The Storm Shield app users receive severe weather alerts based on their location. Voice alerts, like NOAA weather radios, are delivered via push notifications. Radar maps, current conditions, and hourly and daily forecasts are available. National radar, NWS forecasts, and severe weather alerts are all included in this app. Always bring pets inside at the first sign of a storm or disaster. Pay attention to wireless emergency alerts and notifications sent by state and local public safety officials for local watches.
Prepare for both small and large pets:
Preparing pets for emergencies includes both large and small pets. While it is relatively easy to transport and evacuate dogs and cats to a shelter, what do you do with your guinea pigs, rabbits, and hamsters? The SPCA recommends that if they are normally housed in a cage, they should be transported in that cage.
If you must evacuate larger animals, make certain that your emergency location has food and water, as well as access to veterinary care and handling equipment. If you must evacuate and are unable to transport your larger animals, you must decide how and where to transport them to the shelter or whether it is preferable to leave them outside.
Emergency Pet Evacuation Plan:
Consider the basics for survival, such as food and water, just as you would with your family's emergency supply kit. If you are sheltering in place, have two larger kits and one lightweight version if you need to evacuate. Check your kits regularly to ensure that the contents, mainly foods and medications, are still fresh.
Here are some items you can consider including in your pet's emergency kit:
- Water, food, and medicine are to last at least two weeks.
- Leashes, harnesses, or vehicle restraints, if applicable.
- For each small pet (including cats, birds, guinea pigs, fish, or reptiles), a cage, carrier, or container appropriate to the species for transportation and housing.
- A favourite toy and/or blanket.
- Bring anxiety vests or calming sprays if your pet is prone to anxiety or stress. Several supplements are available, some prescription-only, to help alleviate your pet's anxiety. You could consult with your veterinarian about what is best for your pet.
The following documents should also be included:
- Details, including contact information for you, your veterinarian, and other emergency contacts.
- A list of potential destinations with phone numbers and addresses, including pet-friendly hotels and emergency boarding facilities near your planned evacuation routes, as well as friends or relatives in other areas who might be able to board your pet. Check that your contact information is correct.
- Medical data, including vaccination records Ensure that all of your pets are up -to-ate on their vaccinations and that you have copies of their records on hand. Vaccination records will be required by some shelters, rescues, hotels, clinics, and boarding kennels that may temporarily house pets during disasters.
- Feeding notes, including portion sizes, in case you need to leave your pet in the care of someone else.
- A picture of you and your pet for identification.
Brush up on training for emergencies.
Crate training, which involves preparing your pet to spend some quiet time in its kennel, could be "a lifesaver in emergencies." If a dog is at ease in a crate, it will help keep them safe and will not add to their stress. You could feed your pets inside the crate on a regular basis to help them get used to spending time there, providing comfort and creating positive connections with their portable home. To help them develop their confidence, toss treats in and out of the crate. It may also be beneficial to review the "come" command and good walking techniques, as well as identify your pet's hiding places at home.
Final Thoughts:
You should also talk to your vet to see if there are any other considerations they recommend specific to your pet. Take 15 minutes today to sit down with your family and create an emergency plan for yourself or your pet, if you don't already have one. Knowing what to do in an emergency saves valuable time and may save your or your pet's life. Check out our website, Mr and Mrs Pet, and find healthy and purebred puppies from responsible breeders for any query. And if you are looking for the best dog food brands in India, our online pet store will be your best choice.