How to Create an Emergency Disaster Plan for Pets

Everyone knows you should have an emergency plan for your family, but you should also think about having a plan for your pets in the event of a disaster. There are many things to consider for your pet's emergency plan. You must find hotels that accept pets, have proper ID and extra papers for your pet, and think about food and water for them in the event of a power outage. After all, pets are a part of your family, too.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• List of places your pet can stay
• Copies of registration papers and vaccination history
• Pet ID tags
• Picture of pet
• Water-proof container
• Canned or pouch pet foods
• Water bowl
• Food dish
• First aid kit
• Extra leash and collar
• Collapsible pet carrier

1. Think about the type of emergency you are planning for. Hurricanes, earthquakes, landslides, chemical spills and fires each occur in different locations and regions, and each type has its own set of challenges to overcome.
2. Make a list of places where your pet can go for safety during a disaster. Many times, evacuations are necessary and most emergency shelters for people do not accept pets. You'll need to find boarding facilities, veterinarians, hotels and animal shelters that will accept pets in case of an emergency and register with them.
3. Keep copies of your pet's registration papers and vaccination history in a waterproof container with your family's emergency kit. Boarding facilities and shelters may not accept pets without these appropriate papers. Add the shelter list, an extra set of ID tags that includes your cell phone number, and a recent picture of your pet.
   
4. Store enough food and water for your pet for approximately one to two weeks. Rely on canned foods that have self-opening pop tops or tear-open pouches because bagged foods can get wet and ruined. Also, pack a small, plastic food and water bowl. In the event of a disaster, grab any medications he needs and keep them with his food.
5. Add basic pet first aid supplies to your family's kit. Include gauze, adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, tongue depressors, tweezers and hydrogen peroxide because pets can get easily injured in an emergency. Keep enough gauze to use as a muzzle on an agitated pet to help calm her down or stop her from barking excessively.
6. Pack an extra collar, leash and a collapsible carrier with an identification tag that includes your cell phone number to transport your pet safely. Check the fit and fasteners on all leashes and collars because scared pets can be very strong and get away easily.

Tips & Warnings

• A great way to prevent loosing your pet in a disaster situation is to have your pet microchipped. Shelters, vets and many private services offer this service and it provides a way for shelters to reunite lost pets with owners (once the power is back on, of course).
• Remember that it's a myth that animals can just follow their instincts and survive an emergency. If there's no drinking water for you, there will be none for them either.