The National Hurricane Center indicates that hurricane season runs anywhere from May 15th to November 30th. Pet owners should prepare now for an emergency evacuation to ensure their pets will have the items needed to remain safe.
Ines de Pablo, owns Wag’N Enterprises, a company dedicated to teaching owners about emergency preparedness for their pets. She said, “Don’t wait until the day a hurricane is coming your way. Plan ahead.” De Pablo mentioned that store shelves empty quickly when a town is in the path of a hurricane and finding basic supplies can become difficult.
Besides any evacuation kits prepared for your family, also prepare a kit for each pet. De Pablo and experts from the National Hurricane Center suggest stocking a kit with:
Food and water Pillowcase for cat and muzzle for dog if you need to subdue the pet Pet medications and first aid kit Photo of pet Collar with ID tag and leash Pet Carrier
PLAN THE EVACUATION
De Pablo suggests planning several evacuation routes. Know where you can stay that will accept you and your pet. Do not just presume that a family member is willing to house your animals. Have a back-up plan if the house you evacuate to is unavailable at the last minute. For example, have the directions to several pet friendly hotels or shelters that allow pets.
Once you’ve planned the evacuation, de Pablo implores pet owners to practice the evacuation multiple times. “If you don’t rehearse your evacuation plan, you might as well not have a plan.”
During the tense moments of a retreat from the path of an approaching storm, remembering kits, pets, and necessities can be overwhelming. However, if you’ve practiced the plan several times, things will go much smoother and you will be able to adapt to any unexpected changes. Rehearse the plan as though you are actually evacuating. Take the pets, kits and travel to your chosen destination.
If your pet somehow gets away from you and becomes lost during the evacuation, keeping identification information current can bring your lost pet back home again. Update microchips frequently with your current location and contact information. Have a recent photo of your pet. Make sure ID tags have your current cell phone number.
Take the time to prepare can keep your pets safe and happy during a worst case scenario disaster.
Sources:
National Weather Service, National Hurricane Center
Ines de Pablo, Interviewed on 9/12/2011
National Hurricane Center, Pet Plan