Companions Animal Hospital of St. Cloud
2703 Clearwater Road, St. Cloud, MN 56301 320-252-6700
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Companions Animal Hospital of St. Cloud
2703 Clearwater Road, St. Cloud, MN 56301 320-252-6700
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Disaster Preparedness For Pets Hurricanes, floods, wildfires, hazardous material spills--disasters can strike anytime, anywhere. If you think you will never have to evacuate unless you live in a flood plain, near an earthquake fault line or in a coastal area, you may be tragically mistaken. It is imperative that you make preparations to evacuate your family and your pets in any situation. In the event of a disaster, proper preparation will pay off with the safety of your family and pets. Get a Rescue Alert Sticker This easy to use sticker will let people know that pets are inside your home. Make sure it is visible to rescue workers, and that it includes the number and type of pets in your household and the name of your veterinarian and your veterinarian's phone number. Identification for Your Pets Your pets should be wearing up to date identification at all times. It's a good idea to include a phone number of a friend or relative outside your immediate area--if your pet is lost, you'll want to provide a number on the tag that will be answered even if you're out of the home. We also recommend microchipping your pet as a more permanent form of identification. A microchip is implanted between the shoulders and can be read by a scanner at most animal shelters. If You Evacuate, Take Your Pets In the event of a disaster, if you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to evacuate them too. Leaving pets behind, even if you try to create a safe place for them, is likely to result in their being injured, lost or worse. Red Cross disaster shelters cannot accept pets because of health and safety regulations and other considerations. The best thing you can do is to plan ahead since finding shelter in the midst of a disaster may be difficult if not impossible. Here are to tips to help you plan ahead: -Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check policies on accepting pets and restrictions on number, size and species. Ask if "no pet" policies could be waived in an emergency. If you have notice of an impending disaster, call ahead for reservations. -Ask friends, relatives, or others outside the affected area whether they could shelter your animals. -Prepare a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians who could shelter animals in an emergency; include 24-hour phone numbers. Assemble a Portable Pet Disaster Supplies Kit Whether you are away from home for a day or a week, you'll need essential supplies. Keep items in an accessible place and store them in sturdy containers that can be carried easily. Your pet disaster supplies kit should include: -medications and medical records and a first aid kit and guide book -sturdy leashes, harnesses, and/or carriers to transport pets safely and ensure that your animals can't escape -current photos of your pets in case they get lost (call or visit our clinic for your free Operation Pet ID kit) -Food and potable water for at least three days for each pet, bowls, cat litter/pan, and manual can opener (remember to rotate food out of your emergency kit so it doesn't become expired or spoiled -information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets -pet beds and toys if easily transportable to help reduce stress -flashlight -blanket (for scooping up a fearful pet) If You Don't Evacuate If your family and pets must wait out a storm or other disaster at home, identify a safe area of your home where you can all stay together. -Keep dogs on leashes and cats in carriers, and make sure they are wearing identification -Have any medications and a supply of pet food and water inside watertight containers, along with your other emergency supplies. Other tips -if you know of an impending storm bring pets into the house and confine them so you can leave with them quickly if necessary. -evacuation orders may come at a time when you are not home--make arrangements well in advance for a trusted neighbor to take your pets and meet you at a specified location. Be sure the person is comfortable with your pets, knows where the animals are likely to be, knows where your disaster supplies are kept, and has a key to your home. Special Precautions for Exotic Pets -Birds should be transported in a secure travel cage or carrier. In cold weather, wrap a blanket over the carrier and warm up the car before placing birds inside. During warm weather, carry a plant mister to mist the birds' feather periodically. Do not put water inside the carrier during transport. Provide a few slices of fresh fruits and vegetables with high water content. Have a photo identification and leg bands. If the carrier does not have a perch, line it with paper towels and change them frequently. Try to keep the carrier in a quiet area. Do not let birds out of the cage or carrier. -Snakes can be transported in a pillowcase but they must be transferred to more secure housing when they reach the evacuation site. If your snakes require frequent feedings, carry food with you. Take a water bowl large enough for soaking as well as a heating pad. When transporting house lizards, follow the same directions for birds. -Small mammals (hamsters, gerbils, etc.) should be transported in secure carriers suitable for maintaining the animals while sheltered. Take bedding materials, food bowls, and water bottles
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