How to Prepare Pets for Hurricanes and Other Natural Disasters Your pets are a part of your family and as such, they deserve to be taken into account when preparations are made for the safety of you and your family. Rule #1: If it isn't safe for you, it isn't safe for your pets If you are contemplating leaving your pet behind in an emergency, think seriously if this what you would do with your three year old child? Animals are just as helpless during emergencies as are small children. Evacuate as soon as you are advised to go. And when you evacuate, take your furried and winged family members with you. Start with the basics"A person who plans for disaster is going to be far more able to safeguard herself and her animal companions,” says Sara Varsa, director of operations for the Animal Rescue Team. There are things you can do to get ready for natural disasters with pets, horses, and farm animals in mind. For pet owners, it can be relatively simple: Prepare a plan (even for everyday emergencies), including identifying a place to stay that will accept your pets Develop a checklist for all your pets’ supplies and medical information Identify a friend, neighbor, or family member who can take care of your pet if you are away You CAN take your pets The federal government now officially supports including pets in disaster plans. In 2000 The HSUS and FEMA signed an historic partnership agreement to encourage and assist people who want to safeguard their pets in a natural disaster. FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate puts it plainly: “Animals are important members of millions of families across this country—and as such they should also be included in our family emergency plans.” With this video, FEMA designated May 8, 2010, National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day. Since FEMA came on board, it’s become easier to find a shelter that will accept your pets. But don’t assume any shelter you go to will allow you to keep your dog or cat with you, cautions Varsa. “Before disaster hits, reach out to local officials—work with them to confirm that you will be allowed to evacuate with your pets and that cohabitated shelters [ones that take people and their pets] will be available in your area.” If you stay put, stay safe When you're advised to evacuate, pack up your pets and supplies, and go. But in situations when sitting out the disaster is the best (or only) option, plan to have on hand all the supplies you'll need for your pets. Then follow these safety guidelines: 1) Bring your pets indoors as soon as local authorities say there is an imminent problem. Keep pets under your direct control; you won't have to spend time trying to find them if you must evacuate. Make sure they are wearing collars and tags, and keep dogs on leashes and cats in carriers. 2) If you have a room you can designate as a "safe room," put your emergency supplies in that room in advance, including your pet's crate and supplies. If there is an open fireplace, vent, pet door, or similar opening in the house, close it off with plastic sheeting and strong tape. 3) Listen to the radio periodically, and don't come out until you know it's safe. Keep your pet safe when you're not home The best way to keep your pets safe when you can't be with them is to plan ahead: 1) Find a trusted neighbor and give them a key to your house or barn. Make sure this person is comfortable and familiar with your pets. 2) Make sure the neighbor knows your pets' whereabouts and habits, so they won't have to waste precious time trying to find or catch them. 3) Create a pet emergency/disaster kit and place it in a prominent place where your neighbor can find it. 4) If the emergency involves evacuation, make sure the neighbor would be willing to take your pets and has access to the appropriate carriers and leashes. Plan to meet at a prearranged location. 5) If you use a pet sitting service, they may be available to help, but discuss the possibility well in advance. Make your plan now The HSUS has not only been at the forefront of working with government agencies to make sure that animals aren’t left to fend for themselves, but “we’ve also developed a highly trained team that can be deployed to offer animal rescue and sheltering services in the wake of disasters,” says Varsa. “While our rescue team stands at the ready to offer disaster-response aid, I advise everyone to be proactive and make their own preparedness plans. That’s the best way to look after the animals in your care. It will help you sleep easier—and be able to offer help to those who are less fortunate than you are." http://www.humanesociety.org/news/news/2011/03/disaster_planning_2011.html Natural Disasters and Your Pet's Safety Never ever leave your pet behind when evacuating be it a hurricane, a fire, or a man made disaster or natural disaster or a chemical evacuation of the area. Even if you think you are returning in a day or so, take your pets! Hurricane Katrina (the Atlantic hurricane of 2005), has taught many that this is a fatal mistake, although most people quickly forgot and did the same thing two years later when Hurricane Rita struck in 2007. In Katrina, as many as 600,000 pets suffered by drowning (still chained to their stake), starvation and dehydration. There were not enough rescue groups available to take in all the homeless animals. It might be difficult to put a small or large animal in the car with you but make the necessary preparations for them when you know a storm is coming and know you will have to leave suddenly. They depend on you to protect them and not leave them chained to suffer and die. It should never be a choice between your pet(s) or your kids. You figure out a way to get EVERYONE to safety, including your pets who are your responsibility and also members of your family. If worse comes to worse and your pets absolutely, positively must be left behind then unchain them. That's right. Open the door of their cage or wherever they are kept so they will have a chance to escape harm. Animals are pretty smart creatures, they know how to escape potential danger and return to their homes when conditions are favorable. If you leave them chained, or inside the home in a locked room or even outside in a locked pet carrier, chances are they WILL DIE if left for a prolonged period. If you take away their means of survival by leaving them penned up, it could mean disaster for this member of your family. Do the right thing, take precautions BEFORE problems arise. Additional reading from FEMA: |