September is National Preparedness Month, and it’s vital to ensure that both you and your pet are ready to face any storm. This season often brings extreme weather, including hurricanes and flooding, making disaster preparedness crucial for keeping your pet safe and calm during emergencies. Here are some lifesaving disaster tips, along with a disaster preparedness checklist, to help protect your pets when storms strike.
Keep Your “Go Bag” Ready
Having a “go bag” is a straightforward and effective method for staying prepared.
Make sure to include:
- Food and water for at least seven to 10 days
- A water bowl, feeding dish, and a manual can opener if needed
- Two weeks’ worth of your pet’s medication
- A spare collar and leash
- A copy or USB of crucial medical information
- Familiar toys or bedding
- Litter or newspaper for a litter box for cats
- Garbage bags
- Pet first aid
- Any traveling bags, crates, or carriers for each pet
Download Our Pet Disaster Kit Checklist
Be Mindful of These Additional Items
- Emergency shelters may not allow pets, so have a list of local boarding facilities, hotels/motels, or nearby friends that will allow you to stay with your pet.
- All pets should wear collars and tags with up-to-date identification information. Your pet’s ID tag should include their name, your phone number, and any urgent medical needs. Also, write your pet’s name and your contact information on their carrier.
- The ASPCA recommends microchipping your pet as a more permanent form of identification. A microchip is implanted under the skin in the animal’s shoulder area and can be read by a scanner at most animal shelters. Ensure your pet’s microchip is registered and that your contact information is current.
- We always recommend evacuating with your pets, but if you must leave them behind, place a safety alert in a highly visible spot to notify emergency responders that there is an animal in the house.
How to Help a Scared Pet
If your pet is anxious during storms, there are various strategies you can implement at home to help them feel more secure. Check out our full list of tips for calming them and addressing storm phobia in pets.
