horror as beloved family pets were abandoned when their humans were
forced to evacuate without them during Hurricane Katrina. That promise
was definitely evident during the California wildfires of 2007 when
families refused to go to the refugee centers and instead camped out in
tents so that their pets could stay with them.
If you are preparing for disaster survival, do not forget to prepare
for your pets as well. These beloved companions enrich our lives and it
is important that we consider their welfare in the event of a disaster.
Remember that they are domesticated animals and not trained to survive
on their own. Without their humans they will often experience a
horrible death.
Here is a list of things you can do to ensure that your pets are
protected in the event of a disaster:
1. Locate possible shelters, including hotels and motels in the area
you plan to evacuate to that will accept pets. Make sure you include that
information in your own bug out bag (BOB) and in the pet’s individual
go bag.
2. Keep identification tags and vaccinations current. Consider getting
your dog or cat micro-chipped so they can be identified in case you get
separated.
3. Keep the necessary item(s) handy for secure transportation, such as:
leashes, pet carriers or harnesses.
4. Keep a copy of your pet’s medical record in your BOB and also in
your pet’s go bag.
If the worst should happen and you must leave your pet at home, there
are some steps you can take to ensure that they are as safe as possible.
Leave them loose in the house with plenty of water and food. In the
bathrooms, leave the toilet seats up, remove the tank covers and place
something in front of the doors to keep them open.
Place large signs on the outside of each outside door notifying
authorities that there are pets in the house and their location. Include the
name and number of your vet, as well as a phone number where you can be
contacted to be reunited with your pets.
Animals are more sensitive than we are to atmospheric changes that
signal bad storms and will often try to hide well in advance of the danger.
It is therefore imperative that you bring them inside as soon as you
become aware of an approaching threat.
During the actual storm or disaster there are some immediate steps you
can take to ensure the safety of your pet. First of all, never leave
your pet outside. Bring them inside, use newspapers for sanitary
purposes, and feed them canned food that has a high percentage of moisture
content. This will cut down on the amount of water they will need to
drink.
If you have more than one animal, you would be advised to separate
them. Even if they normally get along and are best of pals, disaster
situations can cause them to react in an unpredictable manner. Fear and
uncertainty can unset your pets’ normal equilibrium resulting in aggressive
or defensive behavior.
Very few of the pets left behind during Katrina were ever returned to
their rightful owners. Right now there are steps you can take to ensure
that that vow of “no pet left behind” is fulfilled when the next great
disaster occurs. There is nothing more heartbreaking than being forced
to leave a beloved pet behind as you are being rescued.
