It takes just three steps the get your entire family, including your Pets, READY for an emergency. When considering your pets, you'll need to get a Pet Emergency Supply Kit.
Make an emergency plan for your pet's care and stay informed about different types of emergencies.
In addition to what you would need for your family your pets will also need specific supplies.
Basic Pet Emergency Supply Kit
- Food and water for your pets for three days
- Pet medicines and medical records
- First aid kit
- Collar with ID tag
- Harness or leash
- Pet crate or carrier
- Picture of you and your pet
- Pet bed, toys and treats
- Sanitation items: Litter/litter box, newspapers, Paper towels and plastic bags, Household bleach
Download a brochure for pet owners at Ready.gov
Once you've got everything together put all the pet supplies in a container that you can carry with you if you need to leave home in an emergency.
Remember, pet food and medicine can spoil just like our food and medicine, so you should check your kits regularly to make sure the pet supplies are still fresh.
If there's a emergency, you may be able to stay in your home or you may have to evacuate.
It's important to have a Family Emergency Plan that considers the needs of your pet for either situation.
Basic Pet Emergency Plan:
- Secure appropriate lodging for pets
- Create buddy pet care system with family, friends or neighbors
- Talk to your vet about first aid care and identification for your pets
- Gather contact information for area animal control agencies and veterinary hospitals
- Place "Pet Inside" stickers on front door or windows
- Designate meeting location
Download a family emergency plan template at Ready.gov to get started
If you have to evacuate, take your pets with you.
But keep in mind, some shelters won't allow pets inside.
Prepare ahead of time by calling your local office of Emergency Management to see if any shelters in your area will take pets.
You should also contact Kennels, Veterinary Hospitals and Hotels to see if they'll take pets during an emergency.
In addition, develop a buddy system with neighbors, friends or relatives to care for each other's pets.
Pet locator decals can alert First Responders that there are pets inside your home.
And you might want to consider having your veterinarian "Microchip" your pet to help identify them in an emergency.
Different Types of Emergencies:
1. Floods and Fires
2. Hurricanes, Tornadoes and Earthquakes
3. Winter Storms, Thunderstorms, Extreme Heat and Extreme Cold
4. Terrorist Threats
The information will help you know what to do in case of ANY emergency, natural or man-made.
You'll find everything you'll need to prepare yourself, your family and your pets for an emergency, at Ready.gov
It's as simple as One, Two, Three.
Do not forget to notify others that you are safe after a disaster.
Consider using the Red Cross Safe and Well Registry...
Want to go beyond preparedness and be part of the solution?
Join DART! Check our web site for training opportunities.
