Dear Tabby and Brutus,
I’ve heard that September is Natural Disaster Preparedness month. Do you have any suggestions on how to prepare for a natural disaster with a pet? I just don’t want to be caught unaware or not prepared.
Sincerely,
Needing A Plan
Dear Needing,
You are on the right track by want to prepare ahead of time. When disaster strikes it can be stressful and hectic. Preparation can make all the difference. Keep in mind if it’s not safe for you, it’s not safe for them. Take a few minutes to create a plan and pack an emergency kit. If you have a family, include them of the plan ahead of time as well. Here is a checklist for protecting your pet during a disaster:
1. Start Getting Ready Now: ID your pet, put together a disaster kit and find a safe place to stay ahead of time.
2. If you have to evacuate, take your pet with you: If it’s not safe for you, then it’s not safe for them. Even if you think you are going to be gone just a few hours, you never know how long you will be away from “home”. In some cases you will not be able to go back to get your pets. Pets left behind during a disaster can become injured, lost or killed. Also, evacuate early. Do not wait until the last minute. This will make a stressful situation an easier transition for everybody.
3. If you stay at home, do it safely: Find a safe area in your home to take cover. Make sure that space is away from anything breakable, large enough to hold you, your family and pets, move dangerous items and block off nooks and crannies where pets may hide. Bring your animals inside. DO NOT LEAVE THEM OUTSIDE! They may escape during the disaster which could be harmful.
4. Take extra care after the disaster: Don’t allow your pets to roam around loose. Things may be different and familiar smells gone which will further confuse your pet. Try to keep to their normal routine. It will make the transition easier for your pet. Be patient with your pets after the disaster. They were probably just as scared as you were during the emergency. It may take them awhile to re-acclimate themselves to the home.
**You can catch the Dear Tabby/Brutus column in our quarterly magazine, “Playmate”.**