Developing a Crisis Plan for Your Pet

Natural disasters can endanger all living beings in an area. A pet is like a family member who you need to protect in case of an emergency situation.

A disaster can be natural, such as an earthquake, tornado, hurricane, or flood. Did you know as many as 250,000 cats and dogs were displaced or died as a result of Hurricane Katrina in 2005? Man-made disasters such as house fire or broken gas main, are also hazardous and can prove to be fatal. Here are 3 tips to develop a crisis plan for your pet:

Create an Emergency Kit for Your Pet

It is imperative to prepare an emergency kit for your pet to cater to an emergency situation. Make sure the container is sturdy and keep it in an accessible spot.
Keep food, drinking water, bowls, and a manual can opener if your furry companion prefers canned food. If your pet is a dog, make sure the kit contains leashes or harnesses.

Included in a crisis plan for your pet is a first aid kit to take care of possible injuries. Keep their medical records in a waterproof container. Also toss in a current picture of you with your pet, in case they get separated from you during a crisis.

Take a piece of paper and write down the animal’s feeding time, behavioral patterns, medical conditions, and vet’s contact number. Keep this in the waterproof container so that whoever finds your pet is able to take care of him easily.

Find a Safe Spot in an Emergency for your Pet

If you are evacuating in case of a natural disaster, do not leave your pet behind in the house. If a place is not safe for you as a human, it is obviously not safe for an animal either.

Your pet may get trapped at home, or maybe faced with life-threatening situations if he manages to escape. Not every animal shelter admits pets, so make sure the place you choose is pet-friendly.
If you are informed about a natural disaster in advance, such as a hurricane, you can easily make prior arrangements for your animal companion. Call your vet to ask about facilities such as boarding kennels at a safe location. If you plan to move into a hotel temporarily, look for one that allows pets.

In case you have no other option left, leave your pet with a family member or friend who is willing to look after them. If you are worried that an emergency situation may arise when you are not at home, coordinate with your neighbor to rescue your pet.

Keep Your Pet Healthy

A healthy animal is more likely to survive a disaster than a weak one. Ensure your pet is physically fit by routinely examining his body. Monitor major indicators such as heart rate, gum color, breathing rate, and body temperature.

If you live in an area prone to natural disasters, it is best to only keep as many pets as you can look after in the event of an emergency. Learn to perform CPR and other first-aid tasks to attend to your pet in case a need arises.

Make sure your pet’s vaccinations are updated to protect them from diseases such as distemper, rabies, and leptospirosis. A healthy and vaccinated pet will easily be admitted to disaster relief shelters. Click here to read about vaccines important for your cat.

You can prepare your car for emergency situations by keeping a pet bag, pet food, health records, and pet first aid kit in your car. This will allow you to quickly take your furry companion along with you if you are evacuating your home. In case disaster strikes unexpectedly, a well-thought-out crisis plan for your pet should always be ready. If you are looking for an animal hospital in Fayetteville, NC, to tend to your pet, don’t hesitate to contact Cliffdale Animal Hospital.