If you were in the path of this winter’s snowstorms, you probably got a strong reminder that you need to plan for emergencies. Your pets need to be included in your plans. Ready.gov has partnered with animal welfare groups to come up with some tips. Many are common sense, like keeping three days’ supply of food and water on hand, and having a carrier handy in case you need to evacuate with your pet. Others you may not have thought of (I know I hadn’t).
- Consider having two emergency kits: one for times you may be stuck in your house and a lighter one for evacuations.
- Put copies of your pet’s adoption papers, license if any, and medical records in your emergency kits.
- Take a picture of you and the pet together. This will help you assert your ownership if you’re separated. You even may want to get your pet microchipped.
- As emergency shelters may not allow animals, be ready to go to a motel instead or to find a place to board your pet. Or set up a buddy system with a friend who can take it. (If you have a service animal, you have a legal right to keep it with you.)
- If you have stickers on your windows to alert rescue workers that there are animals in the house, write “evacuated with pets” on them before you go.
- Plan how to get your pets together to go. This may be hard, as animals tend to hide in frightening situations. If you need catnip to lure your cat back into the open, make sure you have some handy.
Though pets are an added responsibility in an emergency, they also can be a comfort. So, make sure yours are ready to face one with you.
