Create an Emergency Plan for Your Pets in 5 Steps
Fires, floods, earthquakes – we never know when a natural disaster could strike. While most people have some idea of a plan for themselves, many forget that they need to include their pets in their emergency preparedness plans, too.
Consider the following steps to make sure both you and your pets will be prepared, ready, and safe the next time there’s an emergency.
5 Steps for Creating an Emergency Preparedness Plan for Your Pet
1. Keep Your Pet's Identification Current
During emergencies, pets can get frightened, disoriented, and lost. Make sure your pet is equipped with a collar, readable ID tags, and a pet microchip. These forms of identifications will help increase the chances of being reunited with your pet if they go missing.
2. Maintain a Copy of Veterinary Records
Emergency shelters that accept pets, boarding hospitals, and other places where you might shelter with your pet will likely require a copy of your pet’s vaccine and other health records. Keep a paper copy on hand and digital copies in your phone or saved to the cloud.
3. Plan to Evacuate With Your Pets
If it’s not safe for you, then it’s not safe for your pets. If you need to evacuate, plan to take your pets with you or transport them somewhere safe before you leave.
Additionally, it’s smart to have a plan in place for your pets should a disaster strike when you’re out of town or away. Leave this plan with a trusted neighbor or friend.
4. Find Options for Safe Places to Stay
During an emergency and the rush of evacuation, you’ll have little time to research pet-friendly places where you can stay. Keep a list of pet-friendly hotels, boarding facilities, family, and friends who will be willing to keep your pets if you need to evacuate your home.
5. Keep Extra Pet Supplies
Maintain a store of extra pet supplies including drinking water, food, medications, and a first aid kit for your pet that you can quickly pack up and take with you if you need to evacuate. Be sure to rotate the supplies out occasionally to ensure everything is fresh and safe for your pet.
Keep Your Pet Safe and Healthy With Regular Veterinary Care
Whether you need a copy of your pet’s vaccination records, recommendations for nearby emergency veterinary hospitals, or a microchip for your pet, our veterinarian at Pacific Animal Hospital of Redondo Beach can help. We welcome you to schedule an appointment for your pet today.
