15 Tips for Protecting Your Pets
In a Weather-Related Disaster
Who can forget the images of stranded dogs and cats on the television in
the weeks after Hurricane Katrina? At Paul Davis Restoration of Worcester, our
first priority is the safety and well being of your family — which of course,
includes your pets. We have a soft spot for your furry loved ones and we know
from experience that all it takes is a little preparation to avoid the
heartbreak of seeing them injured in a storm. When a storm approaches Central Massachusetts, be sure you’ve planned ahead with these tips
from Paul Davis Restoration to protect your four-legged companions from getting
lost or injured. We suggest you keep this basic checklist on the fridge next to
all your other emergency contacts.
1. Develop
a written plan of action that
includes your pet…NOW before any weather-disaster strikes. Play the “what if”
game so that you can prepare for a variety of scenarios. Have a back-up plan in
case things don’t work out with “plan A”. You should develop your plan based on
the most likely weather-related disaster in your area. For example, if you live
where wildfires rage every year, your plan will be all about evacuation. If you
live in “Tornado Alley”, you should plan how to keep your pet indoors with you
when it’s time to batten down the hatches.
2. When it is safe to do so, leave early with your pet whenever a disaster emergency is declared.
Generally, the longer you wait to move, the more dangerous the situation will
become. Observe prior warnings and recommendations so that you are better
prepared when an evacuation is ordered.
3. Include
outdoor pets in your disaster preparedness plan. It’s too easy to forget these friends or
assume that they can fend for themselves because they are outside. The truth is
that they are likely to go missing even if they are not injured or killed. This
means you should be on good enough terms with your outdoor pets to coax them into
a carrier easily.
4. Most emergency public shelters and evacuation
centers don’t accept pets. Find out in
advance which locations in Central Massachusetts are
pet-friendly in case you need to leave your home to avoid a weather-related disaster. Remember
that current vaccinations are an absolute must if you expect your pets to be
welcome in any shelter. Consider evacuating to a pet-friendly motel if there
are no shelters that accept pets. The following websites and search tools will
help you locate motels, restaurants, places and services that allow pets under
various circumstances: Go Pet Friendly,
TravelPets, PetsWelcome, PetTravel, DogFriendly.
5. Consider
pet insurance as part of any
preparedness plan. Although ConsumerReports.org
states that there is generally little value over the long run for the cost of
premiums, the benefits of such a policy may depend on your location and whether
your pet has special medical needs. It may be best to set up a self-insurance
savings account specifically for the purpose of handling emergency situations
for your pet. You can use this fund to pay for the cost of emergency supplies,
veterinary care, evacuation, etc.
6. If you have sufficient notice of an incoming
storm, talk to local boarding kennels
and pet shelters about the preparedness of their facilities. Your pet may
be able to safely ride out the storm in a kennel. This approach might be a good
idea if you have small children who will need your undivided attention during
an emergency. Ask about the capacity of the kennel – and whether they usually
get overcrowded when there are weather-related disaster warnings.
7. If
you must leave home, don’t leave your pets. You might be gone longer than you think, putting your pet at risk for
dehydration and starvation. Never leave your pet alone in an evacuation area
unless you absolutely have no other choice. Your pet will likely die if left
inside a mobile home alone. Even in a safer structure, the chances of pet
survival are slim, especially in heat or frigid temperatures. If they do manage
to survive, this may be because they found a way to escape the house. They may
not be there when you get back. If they are, they may have caused significant
damage to your property while trying to get out.
8. Identification is critical for making sure your
pet can be returned to you as soon as possible. Use a combination of contact tags (external collar tags and microchip)
to make it easier locate a pet that is separated from you during a
weather-related disaster. This is especially critical in large-scale disasters
like tornadoes and hurricanes when local shelters and animal control centers
may be dealing with a high volume of missing pets at one time.
9. Keep
photos of your pet in a dry location in case you need to make lost posters. If you really want to be
prepared, make up some “missing pet” posters before the severe weather hits, just in case you need them. Be sure
to include a way to contact you that will still be accessible even if the power
lines are down.
10. The
safest area of your home for humans is usually also the safest area for pets. Make your furry friends comfortable with their
favorite bedding and toys. Bring in a crate or carrier in case your pet becomes
agitated and tries to get out of the room. This is especially important with
cats since they can slip out very easily and run away. Keep all exit routes
shut.
11. Put
together an emergency travel kit
for your pet that includes a carrier, leash or harness, food, water, towels, medications,
etc. Include enough supplies to last several days at a minimum. Some
organizations suggest a week minimum. This should give you enough time to find
other resources. Make sure there are some First Aid supplies that can be used
for your pet as well (gauze, bandages, disinfectant).
12. If you have reason to believe you might be out
of the house when a weather-related disaster strikes, post prominent signs in the windows letting neighbors and rescue
workers know there are pets inside. Include the names and descriptions of
each pet along with any special handling instructions.
13. Exchange
pet information with neighbors
so they can help evacuate pets when you are not available to do so. Make sure
anyone who has a key to your home is familiar and comfortable with all your
pets. These friendly neighbors should know the animal’s habits and their
special place where they are likely to feel safest. Animals are often
frightened by high winds, thunder and heavy rain fall associated with
weather-related disasters and will hide away.
14. Keep
your pets close to you even after the severe weather is over. The debris left behind, contaminated water and
stray animals running free in your neighborhood can continue to pose a threat
to your pet’s life and health. Flooding creates lots of opportunities for pets
to drink or drown in unsafe water. Wildfires can leave behind toxic residues
including chemical-laden soot and ash from building materials. There may also
still be smoldering remains that can burn your pet. Mudslides can create
entrapment hazards even after most of the ground has stopped shifting. Broken
glass is usually left behind by hurricanes, windstorms and tornadoes.
15. If
your pet does get lost and you can’t find it in your neighborhood, call the
local animal control office.
They should have information on where lost pets are being housed waiting for
owners to come pick them up.