From the American Red Cross...
You’ve got an emergency plan to keep everyone in your household safe; don’t forget to include your pets in it.
While it is critical to plan on how to keep members of your household out of harm’s way, it’s equally important to plan for your pets, who are totally dependent on you for their safety and well-being.
“Get everyone ready now ─ your loved ones and pets ─ so they’ll know what to do and where to go if a disaster happens,” said Jane Blocher, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Greater Kansas.
June is Pet Preparedness Month, the perfect time to update your emergency plan with pets in mind. The Red Cross has steps you can follow to help keep your furry, scaly or feathered family members safe during a disaster.
CREATE A PET EMERGENCY PLAN — Know a safe place to take your pets. Know which hotels and motels along your evacuation route will accept pets in an emergency. Call ahead for reservations if you know you may need to evacuate. Ask if no-pet policies could be waived in an emergency.
- Most American Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets because of health and safety concerns and other considerations. Service animals that assist people with disabilities are allowed in Red Cross shelters. When possible, Red Cross shelter workers will do all they can to accommodate domesticated pets comfortably. However, depending on the situation, domesticated pets may need to be housed in a different location with support from animal welfare groups.
- Know which friends, relatives, boarding facilities, animal shelters or veterinarians can care for your animals in an emergency. Prepare a list with phone numbers.
- Although your animals may be more comfortable together, be prepared to house your pets separately.
- Include your pets in evacuation drills so that they become used to entering and traveling in their carriers calmly.
- Make sure that your pet’s vaccinations are current and that all dogs and cats are wearing collars with securely fastened, up-to-date identification. Many pet shelters require proof of current vaccinations to reduce the spread of disease.
- Consider having your pet “microchipped” by your veterinarian.
PET EMERGENCY KIT — Place the following items in a sturdy, easy-to-carry container:
- Sturdy leashes, harnesses and/or carriers to transport pets safely and ensure that they can’t escape.
- Food, drinking water, bowls, cat litter/pan and a manual can opener if your pet eats canned food.
- Medications and copies of medical records stored in a waterproof container. A first aid kit.
- Current photos of you with your pet(s) in case they get lost. Since many pets look alike, this will help to eliminate mistaken identity and confusion.
- Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets.
- Pet beds and toys, if easily transportable.
Visit here for more information, including preparing for livestock and pet preparedness safety checklists in as many as nine different languages.
Pet owners can download the Red Cross Pet First Aid app for more information on how to include pets in emergency preparedness plans. The app also features step-by-step instructions for first aid emergencies, a pet profile for storing tag ID, photo and medical information, early warning signs for when to contact a veterinarian and an animal hospital locator. Users can find it in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross, texting GETPET to 90999 for a link to download the app or going to redcross.org/apps.
You can also take the Red Cross Cat and Dog First Aid online course so you’ll know what to do in an emergency until veterinary care is available. People can access the course on their desktop or tablet at redcross.org/catdogfirstaid and go through the content at their own pace.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.