How to prepare your pets for emergencies

Pets can be considered important members of your family. About 59 percent of American families care for pets in/at their households. Your family and pets are more likely to survive a man-made emergency or environmental disaster if you made advanced preparations.

Prepare for the unexpected by maintaining an animal emergency supply kit. Develop a pet care buddy system. Have available at a moment’s notice sufficient food and water for your pet. (Be prepared to feed and water your pets for a minimum of three days away from home.) These items must be packaged in a manner that is easy to transport. The pet should have a carrier for transportation and shelter, leashes and collars, any needed medications, immunization records, pet licenses (if applicable), blankets as bedding, or used to cover carriers.

If your family has to evacuate, you will likely need to make plans in advance for your pets. If the emergency forces your family to stay at a public shelter, is it important to understand your pets may not be allowed inside. If you cannot care for your animals, have a back-up emergency plan in place.

Develop a buddy system with neighbors, friends and relatives to ensure someone is able to care for your pets if you are unable to do so.

In the aftermath of the New Orleans hurricane and flood disaster, rescuers and animal shelter volunteers recognized a serious problem. It was difficult for pets and their owners to be reunited because ‘anyone’ could claim to be the pet’s owner. There were reports of pets having been stolen by thieves claiming to be the owners. Shelter workers had no way to verify claims of ownership.

It is now recommended that pet owners carry family photos that include not only the pet’s image, but also include family member’s images in the same photo. Providing photo images of the pet with its owner helps reunite them, and could prevent the pet from being released to a stranger.

For more information, access www.ready.gov.