Preparing Disaster Plans for Your Animals
by Patricia Feeser, DVM
Greenville Veterinary Hospital
It’s hurricane season again and a good time to develop or update your
plan for your animals in case of a disaster. Disasters come in all
shapes and sizes. Disasters such as tornados, house fires, domestic
violence, family medical emergencies, train derailments etc. usually
affect small numbers of people and animals. Plans for this type of
disaster focus on immediate evacuation and care. Disasters such as
catastrophic tornados, wildfires, hurricanes and floods affect large
numbers of people and animal. Plans for this type of disaster
involve aspects of massive evacuation and longer-term care and
housing. The first step in being able to respond appropriately in
any emergency is to have a plan.
For emergencies, things to plan for in advance are alternative
housing, equipment for immediate evacuation, planned evacuation route, 1
week supply of food and water, 2 week supply of medications, permanent
identification, pictures of your animal, and vaccination records.
Alternative housing options are boarding kennels, veterinary clinics,
or friends unaffected by the disaster. In large scale disasters,
local facilities may not be open or may already be overwhelmed. Some
hotels are animal friendly, and getting a list of local ones ahead of time
may be of benefit. Keep in mind that if conditions warrant
evacuation of people, then it is also not safe for your animal to
stay. Be aware that the extra responsibility of caring for your
animal may require you to make your preparations and leave earlier than
most people would. Do not wait until the last minute to decide to
leave.
Equipment for evacuation depends on the type of animal you have.
One carrier (already assembled) for each cat is ideal. In a pinch, 1
pillowcase per cat will work. Having a harness and leash easily
accessible in an emergency box is helpful if the cat ends up having to
stay for several days. The leash and harness will give you a way to
exercise your cat. Each dog should also have a harness and leash
readily accessible. Frightened dogs can easily slip out of
collars. Small dogs do well in crates.
Examples of permanent identification include tattoos and
microchips. Keep collars with id tags on all animals at all times -
even indoor cats. Escaped animals with identification have a
much better chance of being reunited with their family. Have
multiple copies of recent pictures of your pet or even better, pictures of
you with your pet in your emergency box.
A few other things to consider are to set up a buddy system with a
neighbor, so if disaster strikes while you are away, your animals will be
cared for. Leave a permission form with your veterinarian
authorizing treatment and care in case of an emergency. Water
restrictions such as "unfit for human consumption" or "boil
water before use" apply to your animals as well. Animals can
get severe digestive disease from drinking contaminated water.
Again, the safest way to respond to an emergency is to have a plan in
place, have the necessary information and equipment on hand, and calmly
implement your plan should a disaster occur.
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