Tips For Taking Care Of Pets During Hurricanes And Emergency Evacuations
Posted on: 14 October 2016
If you live in an area prone to storms or hurricanes, make some strides to prepare and plan for an emergency before it hits. Pets can become very distressed during a hurricane; do what you can to make them as comfortable as possible during these emergency situations.
Ensure your cat or dog's comfort and safety during hurricanes with these tips:
Prepare an emergency kit. Before the storm hits, prepare a pet emergency kit in a durable bag or backpack. Keep this in a place that will be easy to access in a hurry.
Some things to pack in your pet's kit are:
- A week's worth of pet food and water.
- Pet medical records, including vaccination history, as this could be required by emergency shelters.
- Proof of ownership and your pet's tags. Also, include a list of emergency contacts in the event you are separated from your pet.
- Crate or carrier.
- Leash.
- Basic first aid kit with gauze, drops, and medications for your pet.
- Comfort items like blankets, toys, and a piece of clothing from the pet's favorite human.
Secure your pet at the first sign of the storm. The safest place for your pet during a storm is in a crate or carrier. This is also an essential in the event you are forced to evacuate your home. Be sure that your carrier is big enough for pets to comfortably move about and turn around inside.
Stick to a plan. It is up to you to make a decisive plan during an emergency. Will you bug-out and leave your home? Are you planning to ride out the storm unless you are forced to evacuate? Make a decision and stick to it.
Let others know. Let others know that you have pets in the home by affixing window decals in case of emergency or evacuation. There are some simple shield-style stickers that will notify rescuers that pets live on the premise.
Keep pets tagged. Make sure that your pet's tags are up-to-date and secured to a collar before the storm. This could be the only way of identifying your pets during a crisis or if you become separated.
Get them vaccinated. Many emergency shelters will require proof of vaccinations before letting your pet on-site. Get your pet vaccinated and maintain proof in your emergency kit.
Stock up on food and essentials. You should plan on keeping at least a week's worth of food, water, and medication in your emergency kit, but plan on keeping a bit more at home during hurricane season.
Research pet-friendly shelters and resources. Don't wait until the last moment to find out where your pet will be welcome if you need to go to a shelter during a storm. Make some calls and ask around to find pet-friendly options so you can keep your family together during an emergency.
Keep pets as calm as you can. Do what you can to keep pets calm during storms. You may want to talk to your veterinarian about anxiety medication to soothe your pet as many can become very agitated during hurricane winds.
Take some time to address emergency plans before hurricanes hit. Prepare a pet-kit and get your pet's records in order to ensure they are not turned away if you find yourself at a shelter during a storm. For more information, visit sites like http://www.coastalcarolinaanimalhospital.com.
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