Getting your family to safety is the most important thing you have to do during an emergency. One of the most important members of your family though is your cat or dog. But how do you evacuate your animal during an emergency?

Pet Behavior in an Emergency

Like your children, pets will behave much differently in an emergency such as a earthquake or other disaster. A usually friendly and quiet cat or dog may become aggressive or defensive due to the pet being confused because his world have been disrupted which scares him.

So, the most important thing you can do for your pet in an emergency is to maintain your own cool as animals are much attuned to human emotional states. When you address the animal, avoid panic in your voice – speaking in calm and firm tones. Keeping your calm is the best way to help your whole family when disaster strikes.

Preparation

The second best way to help your pet is being prepared for disaster before it happens. As with the human family members, records are important. Take pictures of your pet and store them with your pet’s veterinary records in resealable plastic bags holding other important papers. The pet’s photographs should show any distinguishing marks your animal has so he or she can be identified easily if your pet gets separated from your family.

Of course, pet vaccinations need to be kept current which should be shown in the pet’s records. On your pet, have a properly fitted collar with current license, identification and rabies tags. Make sure your pet never goes outside without the collar and tags on him. Disaster can strike in minutes. And, familiarize your pet with any carrier you may have to use for transportation during an emergency so you do not waste valuable time getting the cat or dog in the carrier.

When Disaster Strikes

If disaster strikes, you may not be able to take your pet with you immediately. Disaster assistance groups such as the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are not equipped to care for, handle or rescue animals during an emergency. Also, human disaster shelters can’t handle pets due to safety and sanitation reasons.

So, you may have to leave your pet home. To be able to leave your pet home, have the supplies needed to prepare an emergency pen for your pets in your home. Inside is the best place for pets in an emergency. The pen should have an at least three day supply of food and a large spill proof container of water. The pen location should be chosen ahead of time and easily setup so you do not waste time evacuating the rest of your family.

If the animal must be in a cage, position the cage off the floor and away from windows. Make sure the cage can not tip over. Place cats and dogs apart even if they normally get along as in an emergency they might not. Never leave vitamins out for your pet as they can kill the animal because you will not be there to be sure the vitamins are given properly. The same applies to other medications your pet may take. Overdoses kill. And do not leave your pets chained outside.

Disasters With Warnings

If you know a disaster is coming then you can evacuate your pet with the rest of the family but you should be prepared before hand. Choose a place outside the emergency area where your pet will be safe.

If you have to leave your pet with someone, be sure they also have your pet’s records as pointed out earlier. Make sure the records include your pet’s vaccination and veterinary records as well as pictures of your pet with you so the pet’s owners can be easily identified.

If you can take your pet with you all the better because being with you is where he will feel calmest.

If you transport your pet to safety in your car, have the animal in his carrier even if only traveling a short distance. Have a filled water container in the carrier with your pet.

If the trip is an extended one, a healthy pet can survive on less than his usual food intake if his activity is reduced as it would be in his carrier in your car. Water, however, should not be rationed.

Disaster Kits

Each pet should have his own disaster kit prepared before hand. Each kit should include: pet food and treats, pet medications and vitamins, food and water dishes, can opener and disposable utensils, blankets, towels and bedding, pet hygiene items, pet carrier with ID tag on the carrier, litter or pooper scoopers (with litter box for cats)collar, ID, harness and leashes and the pet’s toys.

You should add a pet first aid kit that should include a pet first aid manual, names, addresses and phone numbers of your pet’s veterinarian, tape, scissors, antibacterial soap, cotton balls, gauze and hydrogen peroxide.

Worst Case

If you can not find your pet after a disaster hits, then leave as much food and water inside and outside your home as you can before you have to evacuate. Buying an automatic food feeder and an automatic water distributor would be a good idea now so your pet can have several days of steady supply if you have to leave him behind without warning.

In many pet stores, you can buy emergency stickers which you can place on your home doors to notify emergency crews that there may be a pet needing rescue in your home or that a pet the crews find may be yours. On the stickers, include the name, address and phone number of a close relative outside of your own area.

Survival

Like other members of your family, your pets can survive a disaster using common sense and preparation.

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