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Pet and Disaster Safety
Our pets enrich our lives in more ways than we can count. They are members of the family. In turn, they depend on us for their safety and well-being. The best way to ensure the safety of your entire family is to be prepared with a disaster plan. If you are a pet owner, that plan includes your pets. Being prepared can help save lives.
Emergency action plans for your family should include your animals
For information on disaster planning and emergency actions to take for livestock, horses, birds, reptiles or other small animals, such as gerbils or hamsters, please visit the Humane Society of the United States www.HSUS.org or Ready.gov.
Pets and Disaster
Check out this printable checklist - perfect to include in your pet emergency preparedness kit.
Learn First Aid for Your Pets
Just like any other family member, pets deserve to be cared for and protected. That’s why the American Red Cross has developed Dog First Aid and Cat First Aid, comprehensive guides to help keep pets healthy and safe. Check out the Red Cross Store for pet first aid products or download the American Red Cross Pet First Aid mobile app.
Prepare
Create a pet disaster plan in case of an evacuation
If it is not safe for you to stay, it is not safe for them either.Know which hotels and motels along your evacuation route will accept you and your 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. 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 them 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.
Respond
Assemble a portable kit with emergency supplies for your pets
Keep items in an accessible place and store them in sturdy containers so that they can be carried easily.
Your kit should include:
Know what to do as the disaster approaches
Recover
Helping Pets Recover after a Disaster
Your pet’s behavior may change dramatically after a disaster, becoming aggressive or defensive. Be aware of their well being and protect them from hazards to ensure the safety of other people and animals.Watch your animals closely and keep them under your direct control as fences and gates may have been damaged. Pets may become disoriented, particularly if the disaster has affected scent markers that normally allow them to find their home. Be aware of hazards at nose and paw or hoof level, particularly debris, spilled chemicals, fertilizers and other substances that might not seem to be dangerous to humans. Consult your veterinarian if any behavior problems persist.
Related Links
Download the Pet First Aid App
Get critical first aid info for your pet at your fingertips.
Find it in the Apple App Store, Google Play, or Amazon Marketplace