How to Create an Emergency Preparedness Plan for Your Pets

Natural disasters and emergencies can happen very suddenly, and disaster preparedness is essential for pets as well as people. Being prepared ahead of time can help keep you and your pets safe in an emergency.

Ideally, you’ll take your beloved cat or dog (or both!) with you in the event of a disaster. But if you haven’t put together a disaster preparedness pet kit or gotten your pet ready to travel, you may risk not just their safety, but also yours and that of rescue teams and others trying to assist you.

Spending some time on disaster preparedness is an important part of pet parenthood. Disaster preparation includes creating a pet emergency plan and kit, practising for evacuation, and knowing how to help your pet recover, according to Dr. Heather Berst at Zoetis.

Read on to get the details!

How To Create an Emergency Plan

A study of 352 pet parents who experienced a natural disaster or emergency in Australia found that about a third felt unprepared for the event.

Making a plan will help you know exactly what to do in an emergency. When creating your emergency plan, Dr. Berst recommends the following steps.

Finding out whether floods occur in your area

Natural disaster risks usually depend on the environment and where you live. Check the global event map from the Emergency and Disaster Information Service. In the UK, you can find out the risk of flooding near you using the Check for Flooding service.

Searching for nearby pet-friendly evacuation locations

Do research beforehand to find out where you can evacuate with your pet. You can also try searching for pet-friendly hotels, asking “no-pet” hotels whether they’d waive this policy in the event of a natural disaster, or asking family members if you can stay with your pet. If your neighbours have a house key, ask them ahead of time if they’d be happy collecting your pets in case of a disaster.

If you find a hotel, make a reservation as soon as you suspect you may have to evacuate. Some local councils can provide a list of animal boarding facilities in the area if a pet-friendly hotel isn’t available, although they encourage you to board the pet with family or friends first.

Keeping their vaccinations up to date

Vaccinations aren’t only crucial for protecting your pet from infectious diseases. Making sure your pet is fully protected with the necessary vaccinations means that they have a higher chance of being accepted into an animal boarding facility.

Microchipping your pet

A microchip is a small identification device placed under your pet’s skin that contains your contact information. This is a handy tool for reuniting with your pet if they happen to get lost. It’s also a legal requirement of dog ownership in the UK but can also be very helpful for locating lost cats and rabbits.

You’ll want to register the microchip with your current phone number so you can be easily reached once someone finds your pet.

Leave a note on the door or get a Pet Alert sticker

Attach a note to the door or window to let rescue personnel know pets are inside your home in case of an emergency. If you have a Pet Alert sticker and have the time, write “EVACUATED” over the top or leave a note to let responders know you got your pet out.

If you can’t bring the pet (for example, if you’re out of the home when evacuation occurs), speak to the staff at a public rest centre, if one opens, informing them you have a pet at home. Animal wardens are often involved in large-scale evacuations and rescues but will be very busy, so making advance private plans is likely safest for your pet.

Gathering important documents

Type or neatly print information about your pet, including medical records, vaccination history, and vet contact information, and keep it in a waterproof container.

Preparing a “go kit”

Use the pet emergency kit checklist below and keep these items easily accessible and ready to go in case of an evacuation.

How To Build a Disaster Preparedness Kit for Pets

Dr. Berst explains that your pet emergency kit checklist should include food, water, medicine, a first aid kit, important documentation, and pet gear. Store all items in waterproof, airtight containers.

Food and water

• A water and food bowl
• A supply of food and water for at least two weeks

Medicine

• An extra supply of medications that your pet takes regularly
• A month’s supply of flea, tick, and heartworm preventative medication
• Medications stored in a waterproof container

First aid kit

• Gauze
• Cotton balls
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Antibiotic ointment
• Towel or blanket
• Scissors
• Tweezers

Important documents

• Collar and tag with contact information
• Pet registration or proof of ownership or adoption
• Prescriptions for medications
• Medical records and instructions
• Microchip information
• Pet description, including their name, breed, sex, colour, and weight
• A photo of you and your pet for verification if you become separated

Pet gear

• Pet bed
• Crate or pet carrier for each pet, if possible
• Grooming items
• Litter and litter box for cats
• Poop bags
• Familiar items like toys and treats
• Extra leashes and collars

What To Do During an Evacuation

When there’s an evacuation in your area, have your pet emergency kit handy and follow the news and alerts to stay informed on the most current conditions.

Follow instructions from local officials about whether to evacuate or stay put. You can also call the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Floodline or sign up for free flood warnings from the Met Office.

How To Practice for an Emergency or Natural Disaster

Practising for an evacuation with your pets can help them stay comfortable and feel ready if the time to evacuate comes.

These tips can help you practice for a disaster and get your pet prepared:

• Take car rides: Many pets have car anxiety, but regular car rides can help ease this anxiety. Even if your pet doesn’t have car anxiety, they may be more on edge than usual during a disaster. Bringing your pet along on a car ride, even for a few minutes every few weeks, can make a difference.
• Crate train your pet: If your pet never uses a crate or travel carrier, they may have a hard time riding in one if you ever need to evacuate. You can help them become more comfortable by crate training ahead of time. Try leaving their crate or carrier open with a favourite toy inside. You might also feed them or give them treats inside the crate to make it a more pleasant experience.
• Keep up with obedience training: Training your pet can help keep them safe in unpredictable situations, like a natural disaster. But training also helps build trust, so they feel safer overall. It’s important to start training your dog as soon as possible and make it a part of your regular routine. For support, you might work with a professional trainer.

How To Help Pets Recover After a Disaster

Dr. Berst explains that when there’s a natural disaster, pets may experience stress due to:

• Moving to a new location
• Being around different people and animals
• Hearing loud, strange noises
• Seeing their people stressed

According to Dr. Berst, recovery time varies and can take several days to weeks, depending on how easily your pet gets stressed and the seriousness of the disruption.

“As your pet recovers, they may respond to these stressors with a change in bathroom, eating, or playing habits,” Dr. Berst says. They may also have an upset stomach or behave aggressively.

Try these tips to help your pet recover:

• Get them on a regular feeding and exercise routine.
• Don’t make any changes to their food or water.
• Give them space to relax in a calming environment.
• Don’t leave them alone for too long.
• Talk to a vet if you notice unusual changes in their behaviour that don’t improve over time.