Pet Safety and Natural Disasters

The most important things to do for your pet during iminent natural disasters:

•  Get and ID tag containing your current info (name, address, phone number) and attach to your pets collar (opt for a neon colored collar so your pet can be easier to see!). Ensure your pet wears that collar at all times. A pet with an ID tag indicates to emergency crews that your animal is a pet that belongs to a family and not wild, which could mean the difference between getting rescued or not.

• Get your pet microshipped and up-to-date on vaccinations.Because an ID tag can come off or become damaged during an emergency, you also need to get your pet microchipped. A microchip can be inserted under your pet's skin by your veterinarian. To be effective, the microchip must be registered to the pet's owner so he or she can be contacted in the event the animal is lost. Keep your pet’s vaccinations up to date to reduce their risk of illness. If you are evacuated, your pet may not be able to come with you to a shelter and may be held in boarding with other animals whose health status is unknown.

• Have a photo or several photos of your pet on hand for proof of ownership and accurate identification of your pet. It would be a good idea to have a document on hand pointing out identifiable special color markings or scars that will help identify your pet as well.  

• Have a first-aid/emergency kit on hand for your pet. Any emergency kit made for humans can be utilized for your pet as well. Also include your pet's paperwork. Make copies of your pet’s  immunization records, microchip information and vet and emergency contact numbers. Include this paperwork in your emergency kit.

• If at all possible never leave your pet behind! Try to bring your pets with you or plan somewhere you can temporarily house your pet be it with relatives/friends or a boarding facilities away from the natural disaster zone. If you have not other choice but to leave you pet behind make sure plenty of food and water is left behind and post a flyer outside your house that their are pets inside. Never leave your pet in a cage, locked up in a room or tied up! Give a chance for your pet to escape if need be leave a window open, gate open or have a accessible doggy door.

• If your pet goes missing during a natural disaster, it’s important that you don’t endanger yourself looking for your pet. Avoid going outside or far from home if the conditions outside are unmanageable or downright dangerous. Instead, check sites like Nextdoor, Craigslist, Facebook groups or PetFinder – to see if anyone has found your pet. Next, call or visit your local shelters and veterinarian clinics in case your pet was dropped off by an emergency crew or Good Samaritan.

Pets are often overlooked or abandoned during natural disasters because they don’t have the proper identification or paperwork. Because natural disasters can happen any time and with little warning, plan for your pet as you would for any member of your household. Doing so could mean the difference between your pet staying with you during an emergency or getting left behind.