Lessons Learned: Preparing Pets for Disaster
By: KOZL - The Morning Rush
Updated: May 21, 2012
The Joplin tornado has taught us that it's important for the whole family to know how to prepare for a disaster. And that includes your pets too.
Misti Fry of Sidekick Dog Training has tips for pet preparedness.
Focus on preparing the whole family. If you have small pets like birds, snakes, or amphibians you can make a plan for them as well.
Around the Ozarks, we worry the most about tornadoes. Keep your kit where you will go in that kind of storm. You won't have time to run grab it.
If you don't have a basement put the emergency kit in the inner bathroom or closet that you will be going to. Put your people supplies there as well.
American Veterinary Medical Assoc., RedRover and Federal Emergency Manamagement Agency suggest you have on hand:
2-week supply of food (dry & canned)
2-week supply of water in plastic gallon jugs with secure lids
Batteries (flashlight, radio)
Cage/carrier (one for each animal, labeled with your contact information)
Can opener (manual)
Cat/wildlife gloves
Copies of veterinary records and proof of ownership
Emergency contact list
Familiar items to make pets feel comfortable (favorite toys, treats, blankets)
First aid kit
Flashlight
instructions
Diet: record the diet for each individual animal, including what not to feed in case of allergies.
Medications: list each animal separately, including dose and frequency for each medication. Provide veterinary and pharmacy contact information for refills.
leash and collar or harness (for each animal)
litter, litter pan, litter scoop
Maps of local area and alternate evacuation routes (in case of road closures)
Muzzles (dog or cat)
Newspaper (bedding, litter)
No-spill food and water dishes
Paper towels
radio (solar and battery operated)
spoon (for canned food)
stakes and tie-outs
Trash bags
Where can I find out how to prepare my pet and family for an emergency?
This is information from the CDC website:
Find out what your community's plans and resources are for protecting pets in an emergency. The following are considered key resources for planning how to ensure your pets' safety before an emergency:
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
AMVA offers a variety of resources to assist veterinarians, animal owners, and others interested in the well-being of animals to prepare for animal safety in the event of a disaster.
Disaster Preparedness Site
RedRover
Through its volunteer-driven RedRover Responders (formerly the Emergency Animal Rescue Service or EARS), RedRover shelters and cares for animals displaced by natural disasters and other crises, such as criminal seizures and hoarding cases, in the United States and Canada. If you need sheltering assistance, please call RedRover at (800) 440-3277. Visit RedRover at http://redrover.org.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FEMA is the federal agency that leads the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident.
Animals and Emergencies: Preparedness Information:http://www.fema.gov/individual/animals.shtm
Pet Travel and Lodging Resources
Most emergency shelters do not take pets. Before an emergency, plan where you will take your family and pets if you are ever asked to evacuate your home. There are a number of organizations that offer advice and resources for traveling with pets, including searchable lists of lodging establishments that accept pets.
What kinds of things should go into a pet (family) First Aid kit?
Activated charcoal (liquid)
Anti-diarrheal liquid or tablets
Antibiotic ointment (for wounds)
Antibiotic eye ointment
Bandage scissors
Bandage tape
Betadine
(povidone-iodine) or
Nolvasan
(chlorhexidine), scrub and
solution
Cotton bandage rolls
Cotton-tipped swabs
Elastic bandage rolls
Eye rinse (sterile)
Flea and tick prevention and treatment
gauze pads and rolls
ice cream sticks (which may be used as
splints)
isopropyl alcohol/alcohol prep pads
latex gloves or non-allergenic gloves
liquid dish detergent (mild wound and
body cleanser)
Measuring spoons
Medications and preventatives (such
as heartworm prevention), minimum
2-week supply, with clearly labeled
instructions. Provide veterinary and
pharmacy contact information for refills.
Non-adherent bandage pads
saline solution (for rinsing wounds)
sterile lubricant (water based)
styptic powder (clotting agent)
syringe or eyedropper
Thermometer (digital)
Tourniquet
Towel and washcloth
Tweezers
Misti Fry of Sidekick Dog Training has tips for pet preparedness.
Focus on preparing the whole family. If you have small pets like birds, snakes, or amphibians you can make a plan for them as well.
Around the Ozarks, we worry the most about tornadoes. Keep your kit where you will go in that kind of storm. You won't have time to run grab it.
If you don't have a basement put the emergency kit in the inner bathroom or closet that you will be going to. Put your people supplies there as well.
American Veterinary Medical Assoc., RedRover and Federal Emergency Manamagement Agency suggest you have on hand:
2-week supply of food (dry & canned)
2-week supply of water in plastic gallon jugs with secure lids
Batteries (flashlight, radio)
Cage/carrier (one for each animal, labeled with your contact information)
Can opener (manual)
Cat/wildlife gloves
Copies of veterinary records and proof of ownership
Emergency contact list
Familiar items to make pets feel comfortable (favorite toys, treats, blankets)
First aid kit
Flashlight
instructions
Diet: record the diet for each individual animal, including what not to feed in case of allergies.
Medications: list each animal separately, including dose and frequency for each medication. Provide veterinary and pharmacy contact information for refills.
leash and collar or harness (for each animal)
litter, litter pan, litter scoop
Maps of local area and alternate evacuation routes (in case of road closures)
Muzzles (dog or cat)
Newspaper (bedding, litter)
No-spill food and water dishes
Paper towels
radio (solar and battery operated)
spoon (for canned food)
stakes and tie-outs
Trash bags
Where can I find out how to prepare my pet and family for an emergency?
This is information from the CDC website:
Find out what your community's plans and resources are for protecting pets in an emergency. The following are considered key resources for planning how to ensure your pets' safety before an emergency:
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
AMVA offers a variety of resources to assist veterinarians, animal owners, and others interested in the well-being of animals to prepare for animal safety in the event of a disaster.
Disaster Preparedness Site
RedRover
Through its volunteer-driven RedRover Responders (formerly the Emergency Animal Rescue Service or EARS), RedRover shelters and cares for animals displaced by natural disasters and other crises, such as criminal seizures and hoarding cases, in the United States and Canada. If you need sheltering assistance, please call RedRover at (800) 440-3277. Visit RedRover at http://redrover.org.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FEMA is the federal agency that leads the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident.
Animals and Emergencies: Preparedness Information:http://www.fema.gov/individual/animals.shtm
Pet Travel and Lodging Resources
Most emergency shelters do not take pets. Before an emergency, plan where you will take your family and pets if you are ever asked to evacuate your home. There are a number of organizations that offer advice and resources for traveling with pets, including searchable lists of lodging establishments that accept pets.
What kinds of things should go into a pet (family) First Aid kit?
Activated charcoal (liquid)
Anti-diarrheal liquid or tablets
Antibiotic ointment (for wounds)
Antibiotic eye ointment
Bandage scissors
Bandage tape
Betadine
(povidone-iodine) or
Nolvasan
(chlorhexidine), scrub and
solution
Cotton bandage rolls
Cotton-tipped swabs
Elastic bandage rolls
Eye rinse (sterile)
Flea and tick prevention and treatment
gauze pads and rolls
ice cream sticks (which may be used as
splints)
isopropyl alcohol/alcohol prep pads
latex gloves or non-allergenic gloves
liquid dish detergent (mild wound and
body cleanser)
Measuring spoons
Medications and preventatives (such
as heartworm prevention), minimum
2-week supply, with clearly labeled
instructions. Provide veterinary and
pharmacy contact information for refills.
Non-adherent bandage pads
saline solution (for rinsing wounds)
sterile lubricant (water based)
styptic powder (clotting agent)
syringe or eyedropper
Thermometer (digital)
Tourniquet
Towel and washcloth
Tweezers
