Disaster Preparedness for Pets: Keeping Your Furry Friends Safe

When disaster strikes, our first thoughts are often of our loved ones—family, friends, and of course, our pets.

Pets are more than just animals; they are family members who depend on us for their safety and well-being. Just as we prepare ourselves for emergencies, it is equally important to have a comprehensive plan for our pets.

This article provides essential tips on how to include pets in your emergency preparedness plans, from creating emergency kits to developing evacuation strategies. With the right preparations, you can ensure that your furry friends are safe, comfortable, and secure during any disaster.

Understanding the Risks: Why Pet Preparedness Is Essential

Natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and earthquakes can happen suddenly, leaving little time to react. Unfortunately, pets are often the most vulnerable during these emergencies. Without proper planning, pets can become lost, injured, or worse. During disasters, pets are unfortunately displaced or lost every year. Being a prepared pet owner can help reduce this risk for your beloved animal.

Moreover, some pets may have special needs, such as medication or dietary restrictions, which can complicate emergencies. Being prepared ensures your pet’s safety and gives you peace of mind, knowing that your entire family is ready to face whatever comes.

Building a Pet Emergency Kit: What to Include

Just as you would prepare an emergency kit for yourself, it’s vital to have one ready for your pets. A pet emergency kit should be tailored to the specific needs of your pet and should be easily accessible. Here’s a comprehensive list of items to include:

1. Food and Water:

• Pack at least a week’s supply of your pet’s regular food, stored in airtight, waterproof containers.

• Include a portable water bowl and at least a week’s supply of water. If possible, include extra water for cleaning purposes.

• Don’t forget to pack a manual can opener if your pet’s food is canned.

2. Medications and Medical Records:

• Include a week’s supply of any medications your pet needs, along with instructions for administration.

• Keep a copy of your pet’s medical records, including vaccination history and any ongoing treatments.

• Pack a basic pet first-aid kit, including items such as bandages, antiseptic wipes, and tweezers.

3. Identification and Important Documents:

• Ensure your pet is wearing a collar with an up-to-date ID tag that includes your current contact information.

• Include a recent photo of your pet in case you get separated.

• Keep a copy of your pet’s registration, adoption papers, and any microchip information.

4. Comfort Items:

• Pack a familiar blanket or bedding to help reduce stress.

• Include a few of your pet’s favorite toys or treats.

• If your pet uses a crate or carrier, make sure it is sturdy and labeled with your contact information.

5. Sanitation Supplies:

• Include waste bags, litter, and a litter box for cats.

• Pack paper towels, disinfectant, and pet-safe cleaning supplies.

6. Leash, Harness, and Muzzle:

• Keep an extra leash and harness in your emergency kit. A muzzle might also be necessary if your pet is prone to anxiety or aggression in stressful situations.

7. Evacuation Plan:

• Include a map of evacuation routes and contact information for pet-friendly shelters, hotels, or boarding facilities.

Creating a Pet Evacuation Plan

In the event of a disaster, evacuation may be necessary. A well-thought-out evacuation plan that includes your pets is critical to ensuring their safety.

Here’s how to create one:

1. Research Pet-Friendly Accommodations:

• Not all emergency shelters allow pets, so it’s important to research pet-friendly options ahead of time. This includes hotels, motels, and boarding facilities that accept pets during emergencies.

• Consider reaching out to friends or family members who may be able to accommodate you and your pets during a crisis.

2. Practice Evacuation Drills:

• Conduct regular evacuation drills that include your pets. This helps them become familiar with the process and reduces the chances of them becoming frightened or resistant during an actual emergency.

• Make sure your pet is comfortable with their carrier or crate, as they will likely need to be confined during transportation.

3. Plan for All Scenarios:

• Consider different types of disasters (e.g., floods, fires, hurricanes) and how they might affect your evacuation plans. For instance, if you live in an area prone to flooding, plan for a scenario where you might need to evacuate quickly with limited access to transportation.

• If you have multiple pets, practice handling them simultaneously to ensure you can evacuate all of them quickly and safely.

4. Create a Buddy System:

• Coordinate with neighbors, friends, or family members who can assist with your pets in case you are not home during an emergency. Exchange keys and agree on a plan for how to care for each other’s pets if disaster strikes.

5. Communicate Your Plan:

• Make sure everyone in your household is familiar with the pet evacuation plan and knows their role.

• Share your plan with neighbors or anyone else who might need to help with your pets in an emergency.

Shelter-in-Place with Pets: Preparing for Situations Where You Can’t Evacuate

Sometimes, evacuating during a disaster may not be safe or feasible. In these situations, it’s crucial to be prepared to shelter in place with your pets. Here’s how to get ready:

1. Designate a Safe Room:

• Choose a room in your home that can serve as a safe space for you and your pets during a disaster. Ideally, this room should be free of hazards, have access to fresh air, and be stocked with emergency supplies.

• Ensure the room is comfortable and contains familiar items like your pet’s bed and toys.

2. Prepare for Extended Stays:

• If you need to shelter in place for an extended period, be sure you have enough supplies to last at least two weeks.

• Rotate food and water supplies regularly to ensure they remain fresh.

3. Maintain a Calm Environment:

• During a disaster, pets can pick up on their owner’s stress, which may cause them to become anxious or frightened. Try to maintain a calm environment and comfort your pets as much as possible.

• Use calming aids, such as pheromone diffusers or anxiety wraps, if your pet is prone to stress.

4. Stay Informed:

• Keep a battery-powered radio in your safe room to stay updated on emergency alerts and instructions.

• Sign up for emergency alerts on your phone, and have a list of emergency contacts readily available.

Special Considerations for Different Types of Pets

While dogs and cats are the most common pets, many households also have birds, reptiles, small mammals, and other animals that require special care. Here are some additional tips for ensuring the safety of different types of pets during a disaster:

1. Birds:

• Transport birds in a secure, covered cage to help reduce stress during an evacuation.

• Keep extra birdseed, a bird first-aid kit, and a spray bottle for misting feathers in your emergency kit.

• If sheltering in place, ensure the room is draft-free and away from windows.

2. Reptiles:

• Reptiles should be transported in a secure, escape-proof carrier with proper ventilation.

• Maintain temperature control by including heat sources (e.g., heat packs or portable heaters) in your emergency kit.

• Pack a supply of fresh water, food, and any special dietary items.

3. Small Mammals:

• Transport small mammals, such as rabbits, hamsters, or guinea pigs, in secure carriers with bedding and food.

• Include extra bedding, a supply of fresh water, and any necessary grooming supplies in your emergency kit.

4. Aquatic Animals:

• If you have fish or other aquatic animals, evacuation can be particularly challenging. If evacuation is not feasible, ensure you have a plan for maintaining their environment during a disaster.

• Consider investing in a battery-powered aerator or generator to keep tanks oxygenated during power outages.

After the Disaster: Caring for Your Pet During Recovery

The aftermath of a disaster can be just as stressful for pets as the event itself. Here’s how to care for your pet during the recovery period:

1. Assess Your Pet’s Condition:

• After a disaster, check your pet for injuries or signs of stress. If you notice any unusual behavior or physical symptoms, consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.

• Continue to provide a calm and comforting environment to help your pet adjust to any changes.

2. Re-establish Routine:

• Pets thrive on routine, so try to return to your normal schedule as quickly as possible. This includes feeding, exercise, and playtime.

• If your home was damaged, create a safe space where your pet can feel secure until repairs are made.

3. Update Information:

• If you were separated from your pet during the disaster, ensure that their microchip information and ID tags are up to date with your current contact details.

• Notify local shelters, veterinary clinics, and online pet recovery networks if your pet is still missing.

4. Monitor Behavior:

• Be aware that pets may exhibit behavioral changes after a disaster, such as anxiety, aggression, or withdrawal. These changes can be temporary, but if they persist, consult a veterinarian or animal behaviorist for guidance.

5. Rebuild Confidence:

• Engage in positive reinforcement.

• Dedicate quality time to rebuild trust.

• Remove any external stressors such as loud noises or other more common things that stress your pet out normally.

While we encourage this preparation for your pet, we know being a pet owner can be stressful and being prepared can alleviate some of that stress. Your pet’s safety ensures that other areas of your emergency plans run smoothly.

Beyond prepping for your animals, Bryghtpath can help you prepare for other areas of disruption.

Want to work with us and learn more about crisis management?

• Our proprietary Resiliency Diagnosis process is the perfect way to advance your crisis management, business continuity, and crisis communications program. Our thorough standards-based review culminates in a full report, maturity model scoring, and a clear set of recommendations for improvement.
• Our Exercise in a Box product contains 15 simple tabletop exercise scenarios that your business leaders can utilize for crisis microsimulations with minimal involvement from your team.
• With our Exercise in a Day™️  product, you’ll get a comprehensive, ready-to-execute crisis tabletop exercise developed by our team of experts in just one day. Optionally, we’ll even facilitate the exercise and write an after-action report.
• Our Crisis Management services help you rapidly implement and mature your program to ensure your organization is prepared for what lies ahead.
• Our Ultimate Guide to Crisis Management contains everything you need to know about Crisis Management.
• Our Free Crisis Management 101 Introductory Course may help you with an introduction to the world of crisis management – and help prepare your organization for the next major crisis.
• Our Crisis Management Academy®️ is the only program of its kind that provides the knowledge you need to build a strong & effective crisis management program for your organization and leaves you with the confidence that you’re putting the right program, framework, and plans in place to enable your business to manage through a critical moment.
• Learn about our Free Resources, including articles, a resource library, white papers, reports, free introductory courses, webinars, and more.
• Set up an initial call with us to chat further about how we might be able to work together.