Remember Your Pets: How To Protect Your Pets During The Next Natural Disaster

Pets & Animals Blog

If you live in a region that experiences natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes, or hurricanes, you need to include your pets in any emergency preparation plans. Your pets can't fend for themselves. In a disaster, they're going to be looking to you for protection. Here are four crucial steps you should take before the next natural disaster occurs:

Have an Emergency Plan

When it comes to saving your pets during a disaster, it's important that you have an emergency plan in place. This plan should include procedures for getting your pet to safety, as well as how to retrieve your pet if you're not at home when disaster strikes. When putting your plan together, be sure to designate a friend or family member as the person responsible for retrieving your pet. Advance planning will ensure that your pet isn't left behind when disaster strikes.

Prepare an Emergency Pack for Your Pet

If you're like most people with emergency plans, you probably have an emergency pack in your car for each family member. When preparing those emergency packs, don't forget to prepare a pack for your pet. Your pets pack should include a blanket, food, treats, and an emergency supply of any medications your pet takes. If you have a dog, you should also include a spare harness and leash. If possible, you should also keep a copy of your pets health history in their emergency pack.

Never Tether Dogs

If you've got dogs, you should never leave them tethered to trees or posts when you leave the house. You never know when a natural disaster is going to strike while you're away. If your dog is tethered, it won't be able to seek shelter from the dangers. This could put your dog at risk of death should the area flood, the winds begin to rip, or structures begin to collapse around them. For maximum protection, always leave your dog in the house when you leave, or off the leash when it's outside.

Microchip Your Pet

During a natural disaster, pets can get frightened, and take off running. When that happens, it will be difficult to get them back once the disaster passes. To make sure your pet is easier to find after a disaster, talk to your veterinarian about microchips. When you have your pet microchipped, a small device is implanted under its skin. In the event your pet is located, any animal control facility will be able to read the microchip, and locate you.

Now that you're preparing for natural disasters, make sure your pets are part of the plans. The information provided here will ensure that your pets are protected during a disaster. Contact a vet office like Oakton Animal Hospital for more information and assistance. 

2 October 2017