Considering Your Pet in an Emergency

Information has been provided on preparing for an emergency, knowing what to watch for and what you should do.  When you are thinking about keeping your loved ones safe you need to consider how the emergency will affect your pet and what you need to have in place to ensure that your pet is properly cared for. 

During an emergency event, evacuation centres will be set up to take in those affected; however in most circumstances these shelters will not take pets and they will need to be transported to another location.  Emergency workers will do what they can to keep your pet safe and arrangements will be made for trained volunteer groups to ensure that your pet is cared for in one of the shelters; however the best way to ensure that they have what they need to make it through such an event is to create a pet emergecny survival kit which can be sent with them.  The Ontario Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has some great information on how to be prepared when an emergency will affect your pet.  Below is their list on what you need to create a pet emergency survival kit.

Create a pet emergency survival kit

Keep your pet's kit with your family's emergency survival kit for quick and easy access (preferably on the top shelf of a closet near your front door, away from the reach of small children). Some things to include are:

• 72 hour supply of food, bowls, and can opener
• 72 hour supply of bottled water
• Blankets/towels (more than one in case they get soiled)
• Small toy
• Leash, muzzle, harness
• Litter pan, litter, plastic bags and scooper
• Pet carrier for transportation labelled with contact information and details for your pet.
• Medical records, especially proof of vaccinations (most boarding facilities will not accept pets without proof of current vaccination records).
• Medications and pet first aid kit
• Current photo of your pet in case he gets lost
• Information on your pet's feeding schedule, behavioural/medical concerns, and special instructions in case you have to board your pet
• List of boarding facilities in your area, hotels/motels that accept pets and friends and relatives that you and your pet can stay with (pets are generally not allowed inside emergency shelters designated for people, with the exception of service animals such as guide dogs.
• ID tag (microchipping is also recommended)
• Flashlight

Check the kit twice a year (an easy way to remember is to do it when you check your smoke alarms bi-annually) to ensure freshness of food, water, and medication, and to restock any supplies you may have "borrowed" from it.