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With evacuation procedures and disaster management plans strictly in place for humans, animal welfare is often overlooked. Pet ownership extends beyond cuddling and pampering your fur babies with their favorite treats- it includes ensuring their health and safety at all times. Why not prepare for unprecedented situations, such as natural disasters, before they occur?
By having a precautionary evacuation plan in place for your pets, you can drastically reduce chances of distress, injury and abandonment. Emergency preparedness is a foolproof way to ensure your animal’s welfare if disaster strikes. But don’t worry, we’ve curated some advice for you to get started!
STEP 1:
Whistle Go Explore Pet Tracker
The most crucial step you can take in ensuring your animal’s welfare is having them microchipped with an up-to-date identification tag on their collar. A GPS tracker is also extremely useful. These precautions will guarantee that your pet will be returned home, safely in your arms, if they escape.
STEP 2:
Kurgo Portable Dog First Aid Kit
Prior to evacuation, organize an emergency kit with essentials for each of your pets. This should include ample food and water reserves, first-aid supplies, carriers and leashes, vaccination records, temporary identification tags for your post-evacuation contact information and photographs to prove pet ownership.
Pet parents must also remember to evacuate with their fur kids sooner than later- a distressed pet during the peak of a natural disaster is more difficult to safely and quickly evacuate.
Step 3:
Where am I allowed to take my pets?? The ultimate question must be playing on your mind by now-where will my pets and I evacuate to? In most US states, non-pet-friendly hotels are not legally obligated to accommodate pets, even during natural disaster evacuations. Moreover, many evacuation centers, including Red Cross sites, do not permit pets due to health and safety hazards. Nevertheless, you can inquire if a hotel’s no-pet policy is waived during natural disasters. However, it is integral to determine pet-friendly shelters and accommodation in advance. Shortlist out-of-area pet-friendly hotels and animal boarding facilities beforehand, saving precious time in the case of an emergency.
I've included an awesome site, PETS WELCOME – this site will give you all the available lodging for you and your pets. Airbnbs can also serve as convenient evacuation sites due to their flexibility in terms of pet-friendliness. Other locations to ensure your animal’s welfare include local animal shelters and kennels, which may be willing to foster pets during natural disasters. Alternatively, you could make lodging arrangements with a friend or relative outside your local area.
STEP 4:
Pet Carrier – Snoozer
Importantly, identify veterinary facilities beyond your immediate area to prepare for any potential health emergencies with your pets. In the case that you aren’t home when an evacuation order is issued, you can establish a buddy system beforehand whereby a trusted neighbor or friend can access your home and safely evacuate your pets in your absence.
When evacuating, always keep your pet leashed or in a carrier to prevent injury or abandonment. Natural disasters like hurricanes, floods and earthquakes are likely to distress your fur kids, so be sure to comfort them with soothing voices, plenty of affection, chew toys and treats. This disaster management post aims to ensure preparedness rather than panic. With the right precautions, you and your fur babies will remain safe and sound.
~ 4 Dogs & a Camper
