It is important to have a disaster plan for your entire family, including your pets. May 9th is National Animal Disaster Prep Day and what better way to honor it than to create a disaster plan for your pets. When disaster strikes, the outcome can be unpredictable, however, ensuring the safety of your pets is something you can control with the proper preparation. Here is a list of things you may want to consider in planning for a critical disaster situation.
- Have an Escape Plan
You and your family should have a plan in place that will determine escape routes, meeting places, sheltering options and even a backup plan. The more prepared you are for various types of disaster situations, the more likely you are to perform more calm and clear under emergency situations. Your pets depend on you for safety and having a preparation plan in place could be a matter of life or death. Do your family and your pets the favor of being prepared for any situation.
- Keep a pet First Aid kit
Having a first aid kit for your pets is essential in any emergency or disaster circumstance. In the event of an emergency, you may not be able to get your pet to the Veterinarian quickly, or at all. You could even attend a class and become certified in Pet First Aid so that you will have the knowledge and ability to treat your pet if disaster strikes.
- Have a grab-and-go identification kit
In the event that your pet should become lost, you will need to have identifying information to help others locate and recognize your pet. Having a photo of you with your pet will also help with proof of ownership. Also, a record of your pet’s vaccinations and other records might come in handy. Records can be kept somewhere where you can get to them quickly such as a smartphone, waterproof binder, or even a larger Ziploc bag.
- Stay up to date with Vaccinations
Keeping your pet up to date with vaccinations are extremely important to your animal’s health. In the event that disaster strikes and you find yourself having to leave for an evacuation shelter, you may discover that many shelters may not accept pets. If you have to take your pet to a shelter or boarding center, you will want to keep your pet vaccinated against illness or contagious diseases from other animals.
- Microchip your pet
Having your pet micro chipped is a great way to locate exactly where you may pet may be in the event that they become missing. In fact, in some cases it may be the only way to locate your missing fur friend. Micro chipping is harmless to your pet and causes no pain to the animal. If your pet becomes lost and is taken to an animal clinic, the microchip ID will allow the clinic or shelter to locate and contact you through the information on file.
Check out more pet plan disaster notes HERE.
See also YouTube video.