Disaster Preparedness
September is National Disaster Preparedness Month, and cities across the United States are planning, testing, and preparing for how they will deal with possible catastrophic events. Such emphasis on emergency preparedness comes in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of the Gulf Coast region in 2005, especially of New Orleans.
But Hurricane Katrina also placed a spotlight on the need for disaster planning and preparation for pets as well. The impact of the human toll from the hurricane was made deeper as stories emerged of pet owners who, in spite of rising waters and growing property damage, adamantly refused to leave their pets behind. Those owners that did leave their pets spent weeks afterward heartbrokenly searching for them, suffering from guilt at abandoning their pets in addition to the loss of property and family.
Some cities are considering legislation that allows pets to stay with their owners in shelters in case of disaster evacuation. But pet owners must still prepare for cases in which shelters will not accept their pets, or when, for the sake of their own safety, they must leave their pets behind during a major catastrophic event.
With hurricane season lasting from May to October, and as hurricanes head once again for the Gulf Coast, it is time for pet owners to learn how to prepare to care for pets during a disaster.
Pet Owners: Planning For a Disaster
Create a pet disaster kit. A three-day supply of food and drinking water; bowls; cat litter and a container to act as a litter box; current photos and descriptions of pets; up-to-date identification tags that include your mobile phone number so you can be reached from any location; medication, veterinary records, and a first aid kit for pets stored in a waterproof container; sturdy leashes, harnesses, and carriers for the pets, as well as blankets/towels for bedding and warmth.
Microchip your Pet. If your pet loses his or her ID tags, it is important for your pet to have a microchip so that the pet can be returned to you. Most veterinarians offer this service for a relatively low fee. Most microchips are registered with a national database so that your pet can be reunited with you in case the pet is lost or separated from you.
A list of pet-friendly local lodging. Not all areas have laws allowing pets to remain with their owners in evacuation shelters; and the American Red Cross does not admit pets. In such cases, having a list of pet-friendly hotels, motels, or other lodging is essential. If such facilities are unavailable, pet owners should also keep a list of kennels and/or boarding services in safe areas, so in the event of an emergency, they will be able to leave their pets there and retrieve them at a later time.
“Pet Guardians.” Who can you trust to leave your pet with should disaster happen? If those people live away from evacuation regions, then pet owners should include them and their residences as part of their pet emergency preparedness plans. In case of disaster, such people can provide a safe haven for companion animals while pet owners seek emergency shelter, or look for housing.
Create Safe Rooms for Pets. If it is not possible to take a pet away from the home, then finding a safe place within it becomes crucial. This should be a room that offers the best chance of safety from the elements in case of disaster and should be a room where animals have the least chance of injury. NEVER chain or tie an animal to a piece of furniture or other item in your house because they can get injured from being tethered. Buying large food and water dispensers with timed food releases, as well as keeping identification and medical information in the room, will help in the event that a pet owner cannot come back for the pet for a few days.
Get Pet Identification for the Home. Put a decal in your window that identifies the pets in your home. These will help emergency crews find your pets, or to know that there are animals in a home that need to be rescued. Bideawee is offering a free rescue decal during National Disaster Preparedness Month. Click here for your decal.
First and Foremost: Never Leave A Pet Behind!
As chaotic as a catastrophic event can be, the survival of both humans and pets depends on being prepared. As Hurricane Katrina showed, companion animals cannot be left behind in the hopes that they will “fend for themselves.” With proper preparation and a strong network of pet-related services, pet owners will see leaving a pet behind as a last option – and not the first at the risk of losing their own lives.
