Everyone can benefit from having a household evacuation plan in place before a disaster strikes.  It is the best way to protect your family in case of a large-scale natural disaster or an emergency that causes you to temporarily evacuate your home.  Every disaster plan must include your companion animals. 

• Keep up to date identification on your pets at all times.  Use a properly fitted collar with an identification tag.

• Microchip your pet. This is a permanent I.D. All shelters in the Bay Area have microchip scanners.

• Have current color photographs of your pet, showing any distinguishing markings.  Keep them with your emergency supplies.  If your pet becomes lost, these photographs will help identify him/her.

• If you know disaster is imminent, bring your pets inside immediately.  Get your animals under control as quickly as possible, either using a leash or a carrier. 

Disasters often strike suddenly, while you are away from home.  You can improve your pet’s chances for safety if you leave him/her inside, with collars and identification tags, when you go out.  Consider an arrangement with a neighbor who would be willing to evacuate your pets in your absence.  Make sure that person knows your animals, can locate your emergency supplies, and has a key to your house.  Provide him or her with instructions and phone numbers on how to reach you. 

IF YOU EVACUATE, TAKE YOUR PET!

Your animal’s best protection is to be with you.  Remember, taking your pet requires special planning, so take the following steps:

• Locate a safe place for your pets before disaster strikes.  Evacuation shelters generally do not accept animals for public health and safety reasons. 

• Call hotels and motels in your immediate area and a reasonable distance from home to see if they will accept pets and under what conditions.

• Contact local boarding kennels and veterinary hospitals with boarding facilities.

•  Ask friends and family members whether they will provide foster care for your pets.

NOTE: Animal shelters will provide temporary foster care for owned pets in times of disaster, but this should be considered only as a last resort.

DISASTER SUPPLIES CHECK LIST FOR YOUR PET

[   ] Portable carrier (essential for cats but also great for small to medium sized dogs)

[   ] Food/water bowls

[   ] One week supply of your pet’s food, and water in plastic bottles

[   ] Litter and a litter box for cats

[   ] A supply of your pet’s regular medications

[   ] First aid kit

[   ] Health records, including vaccination records (Make sure your pet’s vaccines are up to date.)

[   ] Instructions on your pet’s feeding schedules and diets, medications, or any special needs

[   ] Leashes

[   ] Favorite toy

IF YOU MUST LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND...

Leaving your pet at home will place your animal at greater risk for injury or loss, so make every effort to take your pet with you.  If you have no alternative but to leave your pet behind, take the following precautions:

• Place your pet in a safe, secure room without windows but with good ventilation, such as a bathroom.  Leave enough food for at least three days and a sufficient supply of water.    Place water in large containers that are not easily knocked over.  If you expect flooding, provide access to elevated spaces or counters.  Leave familiar bedding and safe toys.

• Do not confine dogs and cats in the same space.  Keep small animals and birds safely caged.

• Make sure pets are wearing proper collars and identification tags.

• Place a notice on your front door advising what pets are in the house and where they can be located.  Provide a telephone number where you or a contact person can be reached, as well as the name and phone number of your veterinarian.

• Never leave a dog tied outside!

First-Aid Kit Info

First-Aid information does not replace a visit to the veterinarian.  In an emergency, take your dog or cat to a vet immediately.  Pets Unlimited is a 24-hour emergency facility.  Keep our phone number readily available: 415.563.6700. 

Your first-aid kit should include:

·         Transport board/towel/duct tape

·         Roll of plastic wrap

·         2” gauze pads/sterile towels/Telfa

·         2” roll guaze/2” Vet wrap/dull scissors

·         Thermometer/K-Y jelly

·         Saline eye wash/3% hydrogen peroxide

·         Bulb syringe (for mouth debris)

·         Carrier (pillow case can substitute)

·         Supply of food/can opener/bowels/litter box

·         Flashlight

·         Needle less syringe (to give liquid meds)

Commercial disaster kits can be purchased at www.quakekare.com.  Seek additional pet disaster information through the Red Cross or your veterinarian.  Remember, in an emergency nothing can substitute for the expertise of a veterinarian.