Prepare Your Pets for the Storm Season
Severe weather poses a threat to pets as well as people
May 26, 2009
Spring and summer bring warmer temperatures but also the threat of severe weather. Storms have the potential not only to spoil outdoor plans, but to disrupt power, destroy property, or make it necessary for your family and pets to relocate temporarily.
Things to do Now to Protect Your Pet if Severe Weather Strikes
One of the worst things most pet owners can imagine is losing their pet. The chaos and destruction caused by major storms can destroy fences, frighten pets, and distract neighbors who might help in the search for a lost pet. You can help prepare by making sure your pet has secure, permanent identification that will let people contact you if your pet becomes separated from you. Documents that prove ownership and pictures you can use to let people know what a lost pet looks will be essential if you need to post Lost Pet notices.
Provide Identification and Contact Information
Two of the best ways to identify a pet are identification tags and microchips. Collar tags come in a wide array of types, sizes and attachments suitable for any collar or harness. Include a cell phone number in case your home phone is out of commission. A tag allows someone to quickly determine the pet is owned by someone and allows them to contact you. Microchips are not visible, but most shelters and veterinarians have scanners which can quickly confirm the pet is chipped, without having to even touch the animal. The chip registration can be tracked through the manufacturer or an outside registry and again, you will be contacted to reclaim your pet. It is vital that you remember to register the chip with the manufacturer and to keep your contact information updated if it changes. Consider enrolling your pet(s) in the AKC’s Companion Animal Recovery program; this not for profit registry is open to all pets regardless of breed or species and records information from all microchip brands as well as tattoos.
Provide Security and Proof of Ownership
Take a good photo of you and your pet and keep it with your pet’s veterinary and registration or adoption records. This will help prove ownership if you get separated; make sure to capture any distinguishing characteristics and markings in the photo. A readily available photo will be vital if you need to post lost pet flyers or ask animal control staff to look for your pet. Keep your pet’s veterinary and registration or adoption records together with their photo. Make sure these documents can be quickly accessed and transferred to a waterproof container if you need to leave home in an emergency. Get a sturdy pet crate or carrier and acclimate your pet to using it. You may not want or need to use a crate on a daily basis, but your pet will be safer in a crate if you have to travel by car or enter a shelter and it can provide added protection for your pet if you need to take shelter during a tornado.
Check Out Community Resources to Assist with Pet Care
Before you need them, identify people and businesses that could help you if you cannot take care of your animals at home. Ask friends, neighbors and family to find out if any of them could care for your pets in case of an emergency. Your vet can recommend emergency care clinics and help you purchase or assemble a basic pet first aid kit. Prepare for evacuation by identifying local pet-friendly hotels and also boarding facilities should you be unable to keep your pets with you when you leave.
What to Take if You Need to Evacuate With Your Pets
Make a list of essential pet supplies and store them in a sturdy waterproof container to prepare for a speedy evacuation. These essentials include three days supply of food, water and medications for each pet. Include a basic pet first aid kit, collars or harnesses, leashes, and a crate or carrier for each pet. Even if your pets rarely use crates at home, they will be much safer being transported and more welcome in shelters and hotels if they can be secured in this manner. Familiar bedding and toys placed in the crates will help ease your pets' stress. Take your pets identification and veterinary records, these will be essential should your pet need to be boarded. Finally, clean-up supplies, like plastic bags, pet litter and litter pans, paper towels, and chlorine bleach will make your trip more pleasant as well.
Prepare to Keep Your Entire Family Safe in an Emergency
Everyone hopes they never have to face a natural disaster that will cause them to leave home, even temporarily. Careful preparation will help you feel confident that should the unexpected occur, you will have a plan to keep your family, including your pets, safe. For more information, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has a pet disaster preparation section on their Ready.gov site which provides guidelines to help people prepare their pets for emergencies.
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