Disaster Preparedness and Your Pets

Are you prepared for a natural disaster or other emergency? In a Citizen Corps National Survey taken in 2009, less than 50% of Americans surveyed reported having a household emergency plan. This month is the 10th annual National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the US Department of Homeland Security. September was chosen as National Preparedness Month, as the tragedies of September 11th, 2001 highlighted to the nation the importance of being prepared.

Simple Steps for Disaster Preparedness

Natural disasters or other emergencies can strike at any time without warning but you can take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in your home. FEMA has identified four major steps to being prepared:

Be informed
Make a plan
Build a kit
Get involved

Building a Kit

Include your Pets in your Disaster Preparedness Plan

When you are making your disaster preparedness plan and building your kit, remember to include your pets. #disasterpreparedness #includeyourpets Share on X

When you are making your plan and building your kit, remember to include your pets. Leaving them behind in a disaster puts them and others at risk.

Having proper identification on your pet is important every day but essential in a disaster. You may have a carrier to take pets to the vet or groomer but do you have one for each pet? Be sure each crate has identification on it. Familiarize your pets with the crates before they are needed. Know where you will go when you evacuate. Pets may not be allowed in human shelters so know where pet friendly hotels are or make arrangements to stay with a friend or relative outside of the disaster area.

Disaster Supplies for Pets

Food (in airtight waterproof containers or cans) and water for at least 2 weeks for each pet
Food and water bowls and a manual can opener
For cats: litter box and litter
For dogs: plastic bags for poop
Clean-up items for bathroom accidents (paper towels, plastic trash bags, bleach-containing cleaning agent)
Medications for at least 2 weeks, along with any treats used to give the medications and pharmacy contact for refills
Medical records
- Rabies vaccination certificate
- Current vaccination record
- If your pet has a microchip, a record of the microchip number
- Prescription for medication(s)
- For cats, most recent FeLV/FIV test result or vaccination date
- Summary of pertinent medical history; ask your veterinarian for a copy
Sturdy leashes or harnesses
Carrier or cage that is large enough for your pet to stand comfortably and turn around; towels or blankets
Pet toys and bed (familiar items to help the pet[s] feel more comfortable).
A handout containing identification information (in the event you get separated from your pet)
- Current photo of pet
- Pet’s descriptive features (age, sex, neutered/non-neutered status, color(s), and approximate weight)
- Microchip number
- Owner contact information (cell phone, work phone, home phone)
- Contact information of a close relative or friend,
A handout with boarding instructions, such as feeding schedule, medications, and any known allergies and behavior problems
Documents, medications, and food should be stored in waterproof containers