Don’t forget about your animals when preparing for disaster. If a situation escalates to the point where it is not safe for you to stay in your home, it isn’t safe for your animals to stay either. Have a disaster plan for them as well as the rest of your family.
Don’t leave your animals behind to fend for themselves. They can easily be lost, injured or killed. Even if you only plan to be gone temporarily, take them with you—you don’t know if you will be allowed back to your home and there may not be anyone to tend to your animals. The disaster may end up much worse than predicted. Evacuate early, if you can, before a mandatory evacuation order.
Establish an Emergency Plan
Every member of your family should know what to do if you need to evacuate. Write out your plan and keep it where all family members can find it. Learning about your community's disaster response plans is a good idea too.
Keep an Emergency Kit Ready
If you have to evacuate, have everything you may need for your animals assembled in a handy, portable kit. Have carriers and leashes handy. Make sure everyone’s vaccinations are up-to-date and have copies of their vaccination records in your emergency kit. See APNM’s Disaster Kit for Animals for a list of things to include.
Identification, Identification, Identification
Your animals should be wearing up-to-date identification at all times. Include an emergency phone number where you can be reached even if you are not at home. A cell phone number, a voice mail box provided through your phone company or the number of family or friends in another community are all possible emergency numbers. Microchipping your animals will also help ensure their safe return should you become separated. Affix identification to all collars, harnesses, cages and carriers.
Know Where You Are Going to Go
Evacuation shelters are generally unable to accept animals (except for service animals), so make arrangements with friends or relatives who live outside your immediate area to house you and your animals in case of a disaster. Talk to your veterinarian and boarding facilities, as well, about the potential to house your animals. Make a list of animal-friendly hotels nearby. Also talk to your local animal shelter—they may be able to provide you with additional resources, although may be limited to housing lost animals during a disaster. Keep a list of all these places and their phone numbers in your disaster kit. If you have more than one animal, you may need to house them separately.
Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
When threatening conditions arise, confine your animals so you can leave with them quickly if necessary. Don’t abandon them and, under no circumstances, leave them chained or locked in buildings or cages from which they cannot escape.
In Case You Are Not Home
Disasters aren’t planned, so be ready in case one strikes while you are away from home. Set up a “buddy system” with your neighbors, so your animals can be moved to safety if you can’t get back to them. Make extra keys for your friends and neighbors and make sure they’re familiar with all of your animals, know where your disaster kit is kept and know where they can safely take your animals.
If You Don’t Evacuate
If your family must wait out a storm or other disaster at home, identify a safe area of your home where you can all stay together. Keep dogs on leashes and cats in carriers, and make sure they are wearing identification. Your disaster kit should help you get by.
More Resources:
Disaster Preparedness for Large Animals & Livestock
Disaster Kit for Animals
HSUS disaster planning for animal facilities.pdf
HSUS disaster planning for communities.pdf
HSUS disaster planning forms.pdf
New Mexico EOP animals in disaster.pdf
