Make Plans Now to Protect Animals in Weather Emergencies

With floods and other forms of natural disaster wreaking havoc, worried animal guardians wonder how best to protect their best friends.

There are effective ways to prepare for weather emergencies, and the most important is to make arrangements ahead of time to ensure animals’ safety in the event of evacuation. Regardless of what the emergency is, evacuees should never assume that they will be able to return home soon, despite any assurances to the contrary.

Take a moment now to make the following preparations so that you will be ready for the worst.

Disaster Preparation Checklist
Do not leave animals tied up and unattended. In flooding, this leaves animals helpless to drown or starve if someone is not able to help them.

If at all possible, do not leave animals behind. There is no way of knowing what may happen to your home while you are away, and you may not be able to return for days or even weeks. Animal companions left behind may become malnourished, dehydrated or crushed by collapsing walls. They may drown or escape in fear and become lost.

All animals should have collars with identification. Make sure that you have a current photo of your animal companion for identification purposes, the same as you would for a child.

Place an emergency window sticker near your front door in case a weather emergency or fire strikes when you are not home. This sticker will alert rescuers to animals in your home who need help. Be sure to note how many animals are in the home and where they can be found.

Have an animal emergency kit readily available. The kit should include a harness and leash, a carrier, bottled water, food and water bowls and dry food. If you have a cat, keep litter and a small litter tray ready to go. The kit will be helpful if you must grab your animals quickly or if you encounter an animal on the road in need of help. You might also need blankets to cover carriers to help keep animals calm during transport.

Hotels often lift their “no pets” policies during emergencies, but keep a list of hotels that always accept companion animals just in case. Include your local animal shelter’s number on your list of emergency numbers – it might be able to provide information during a disaster.

If you are unable to return to your home right away, you may need to board your animal companion. Most boarding kennels, veterinarians and animal shelters require medical records to make sure that rabies vaccinations are current, so keep copies of these records with your emergency kit.

If You Must Leave Your Animal Behind
Never turn animals loose, and do not assume that they can get by on “instinct”. Domesticated animals rely on human companions for many things and will be rendered nearly helpless outside, especially in bad weather. Do not tie animals outside or leave them in a vehicle unattended. Leave them in a secure area inside your home.

Leave out at least 10 days’ supply of water. Fill every bowl, pan and container that you have with water, then set them on the floor; do not leave just one container – it may spill. Fill sinks too. If your toilet bowl is free of chemical disinfectants, leave the toilet seat up to provide animals with one more source of water, but do not make that the only source.

Leave out at least 10 days’ supply of dry food. Canned food will go bad quickly.

If you cannot get to your home, contact a reliable neighbour or friend to check on the animals and get them out, if possible. Provide specific instructions on care.

For more information, please visit PETA’s disaster preparedness Web site at HelpingAnimals.com.

Helping Wild Animals
Wild animals may also need help during severe storms. Strong winds and gusts generated by tropical storms often throw young squirrels and baby birds from their nests. Flooding from significant rainfall may also force small mammals from their subterranean homes.

Following severe weather, be sure to search carefully through debris and nearby creeks and streams for animals who have been displaced from their homes. These animals may need help right away. Keep a list handy of veterinarians and wildlife rehabilitators in your area.