Disaster Preparedness for Pets
Many pets were left behind in the wildfires of October 2003 and 2007.
Fire Fighters found pets tied up in yards or left in evacuated homes
for as long as 12 days without food or water.
Residents assumed the evacuation would only last a few hours or
overnight. Never assume you will be home quickly, and never leave
your animals to fend for themselves. Unrestrained animals wandered
in absolute fear and many never returned home or were never found.
If a Fire Forces You to Evacuate, Are You Ready?
If You Evacuate, Take Your Pets
The single most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to take them with you when you evacuate.
Animals left behind in a disaster can easily be injured, lost, or killed. Animals left inside your home can escape
through storm-damaged areas, such as broken windows. Animals turned loose to fend for themselves are likely
to become victims of exposure, starvation, predators, contaminated food or water, or accidents. Leaving dogs
tied or chained outside in a disaster is a death sentence.
• If you leave, even if you think you may be gone only for a few hours, take your animals. Once you leave,
you have no way of knowing how long you'll be kept out of the area, and you may not be able to go back for your
pets.
• Leave early-don't wait for a mandatory evacuation order. An unnecessary trip is far better than waiting too
long to leave safely with your pets. If you wait to be evacuated by emergency officials, you may be told to leave
your pets behind.
Don't Forget ID
Your pets should wear up-to-date identification tags at all times. Also consider micro chipping your pet. The
chip, which is the size of a grain of rice, provides a permanent form of identification that cannot be lost or
altered. Most shelters and humane societies today scan incoming animals for chips. The procedure can be
done at local veterinarian offices for around $40.
Find a Safe Place Ahead of Time
Because evacuation shelters don't accept pets (except for service animals), you must plan ahead to ensure that
your family and pets will have a safe place to stay. Don't wait until disaster strikes to do your research.
• Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check policies on accepting pets. (Motel 6 and
Red Roof Inn welcome pets) Ask about any restrictions on number, size, and species. Ask if "no pet" policies
would be waived in an emergency. Make a list of pet-friendly places and keep it handy. Call ahead for a
reservation as soon as you think you might have to leave your home.
• Check with friends, relatives, or others outside your immediate area. Ask if they would be able to shelter
you and your animals or just your animals, if necessary. If you have more than one pet, you may have to be
prepared to house them separately.
• Make a list of boarding facilities and veterinary offices that might be able to shelter animals in emergencies;
include 24-hour telephone numbers.
In Case You're Not Home
An evacuation order may come, or a disaster may strike, when you're at work or out of the house.
• Make arrangements well in advance for a trusted neighbor to take your pets and meet you at a specified
location. Be sure the person is comfortable with your pets, knows where your animals are likely to be, knows
where your disaster supplies are kept, and has a key to your home.
Disaster Supply Checklist for Pets
Keep everything stored in a sturdy container (duffel bags, covered trash containers, etc.) that can be easily
carried.
• Medications and medical records stored in a waterproof container and a first aid kit. A pet first aid book is
also good to include.
• Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and carriers to transport pets safely and to ensure that your pets can't escape.
Carriers should be large enough for the animal to stand comfortably, turn around, and lie down. Your pet may
have to stay in the carrier for hours at a time while you have taken shelter away from home. For a limited time, All
Creatures Mountain Pet Supplies in Crestline is selling crates at cost. Several sizes can be ordered and start as
low as $11. For more information call 338-8788.
• Current photos and descriptions of your pets to help others identify them in case you and your pets
become separated and to prove that they are yours.
• Food and water for at least three days for each pet, bowls, cat litter and litter box, and a manual can
opener.
• Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of
your veterinarian in case you have to board your pets or place them in foster care.
• Pet beds and toys, if you can easily take them, to reduce stress.
Remember, animals depend upon us. Care enough to plan ahead.