Information for Pet Owners
If you evacuate your home, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND! Pets
most likely cannot survive on their own; and if by some remote chance
they do, you may not be able to find them when you return.
Plan for Pet Disaster Needs
- Identifying shelter. For public health reasons, many emergency
shelters cannot accept pets. Find out which motels and hotels in the
area you plan to evacuate to allow pets -- well in advance of
needing them. There are also a number of guides that list
hotels/motels that permit pets and could serve as a starting point.
Include your local animal shelter's number in your list of emergency
numbers -- they might be able to provide information concerning pets
during a disaster.
- Take pet food, bottled water, medications, veterinary records,
cat litter/pan, can opener, food dishes, first aid kit and other
supplies with you in case they're not available later. While the sun
is still shining, consider packing a "pet survival" kit which could
be easily deployed if disaster hits.
- Make sure identification tags are up to date and securely
fastened to your pet's collar. If possible, attach the address
and/or phone number of your evacuation site. If your pet gets lost,
his tag is his ticket home. Make sure you have a current photo of
your pet for identification purposes.
- Make sure you have a secure pet carrier, leash or harness for
your pet so that if he panics, he can't escape.
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Prepare to Shelter Your Pet
- Call your local emergency management office, animal shelter, or
animal control office to get advice and information.
- If you are unable to return to your home right away, you may
need to board your pet. Find out where pet boarding facilities are
located. Be sure to research some outside your local area in case
local facilities close.
- Most boarding kennels, veterinarians and animal shelters will
need your pet's medical records to make sure all vaccinations are
current. Include copies in your "pet survival" kit along with a
photo of your pet.
- NOTE: Some animal shelters will provide
temporary foster care for owned pets in times of disaster, but this
should be considered only as a last resort.
- If you have no alternative but to leave your pet at home, there
are some precautions you must take, but remember that leaving your
pet at home alone can place your animal in great danger! Confine
your pet to a safe area inside -- NEVER leave your pet chained
outside! Leave them loose inside your home with food and plenty of
water. Remove the toilet tank lid, raise the seat and brace the
bathroom door open so they can drink. Place a notice outside in a
visible area, advising what pets are in the house and where they are
located. Provide a phone number where you or a contact can be
reached as well as the name and number of your vet.
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During a Disaster
- Bring your pets inside immediately.
- Have newspapers on hand for sanitary purposes. Feed the animals
moist or canned food so they will need less water to drink.
- Animals have instincts about severe weather changes and will
often isolate themselves if they are afraid. Bringing them inside
early can stop them from running away. Never leave a pet outside or
tied up during a storm.
- Separate dogs and cats. Even if your dogs and cats normally get
along, the anxiety of an emergency situation can cause pets to act
irrationally. Keep small pets away from cats and dogs.
- In an emergency, you may have to take your birds with you. Talk
with your veterinarian or local pet store about special food
dispensers that regulate the amount of food a bird is given. Make
sure that the bird is caged and the cage is covered by a thin cloth
or sheet to provide security and filtered light.
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After a Disaster
- If after a disaster you have to leave town, take your pets with
you. Pets are unlikely to survive on their own.
- In the first few days after the disaster, leash your pets when
they go outside. Always maintain close contact. Familiar scents and
landmarks may be altered and your pet may become confused and lost.
Also, snakes and other dangerous animals may be brought into the
area with flood areas. Downed power lines are a hazard.
- The behavior of your pets may change after an emergency.
Normally quiet and friendly pets may become aggressive or defensive.
Watch animals closely. Leash dogs and place them in a fenced yard
with access to shelter and water.
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