Disaster Preparedness for the Whole Family
Emergencies can happen in a moment’s notice. When disasters such as fires, gas leaks, freak weather, or natural disasters strike, quick action can be life-saving.
You may already do fire evacuation practice with your family, have an assigned meeting place and stock an emergency kit. Here are some ways that you can ensure your furry family members are taken care of during a crisis too.
Emergency Kit
Add your furry family member’s food, water and medication, as well as often overlooked items such as a sturdy leash, can opener, immunizations records, microchip information, pet stretcher, cage liners, cat litter or disposable pan and a cage or carrier to transport or board your animal if needed. This should be kept by a door and easily accessible at all times.
ID and Microchip
It is common for pets to panic and flee in the chaos of an emergency. GPS tags are a great option, but there may not be time to affix a collar or it may become dislodged after they escape. A permanent, up-to-date microchip is the best resource for helping to reunite your family should you become separated. Don’t forget to update your pet’s microchip registration online if you’ve moved or changed your phone number since your pet was microchipped.
Know Where to Go
If you and your family had to evacuate your home today, where would your furry family members stay? Identify which hotels in your area are pet-friendly, research boarding facilities and consider designating an emergency contact in advance. This person should be prepared now with your veterinarian’s contact information and instructions for feeding and medication.
Plan Ahead
Many boarding facilities require that all pets be up-to-date with their vaccines. You can ensure your furry family member won’t be turned away in an emergency by not letting their vaccine due dates lapse. It’s also important to ensure your dog or cat is desensitized to common triggers that can make an emergency even more stressful for them, such as loud noises like thunder or a fire alarm, walking on a leash or being contained in a crate.
Although it’s almost unthinkable to imagine such a tragedy happening to your family, early preparation makes emergency situations more navigable and less stressful for everyone involved!
Dr. I. Wonder is here to answer your questions regarding your furry family members. If you have a question, email it to us at danielle@NeighbourhoodPetClinic.com. Our team at Neighbourhood Pet Clinic will tap into their collective experience to answer your various questions.
