May 08, 2021
Saturday, May 8th is National Animal Preparedness Day. Though it can be scary and uncomfortable to think about, disasters can happen at any time, often with little-to-no warning. In an emergency, when time is of the essence, it can be difficult and stressful to ensure your entire family (both human and animal) get to safety. To help limit chaos in the heat of the moment, is it best to prepare ahead of time by ensuring you have a well-thought-out disaster plan in place.
Disasters come in all shapes and sizes. Smaller storms can target individual neighborhoods, while larger events can be more widespread, affecting entire cities or counties. As we’ve all learned, health-related disasters, like pandemics, can impact an entire nation – or even the world. Though not an exhaustive list, the following emergencies should be considered when creating a thorough disaster preparedness plan.
In times of a disaster, if you must evacuate, your pets must evacuate as well. If you have to shelter-in-place, so must your pets. The following considerations are a great step toward creating a disaster preparedness plan, but it is always advisable to speak with a trusted veterinarian to ensure all considerations are taken to best meet the individual needs of your personal pets. It’s also best to educate yourself on what types of natural disasters are most prevalent in your area to make certain you are as prepared as possible.
Friends and Family – Ask trusted loved ones if they are able and willing to take you and your pets in while things settle down. Talk with local friends and family, as well as those who live outside of your immediate area, so you can feel confident you have a safe place for your little ones regardless of how far you have to travel. It’s important to have these conversations in advance so you’re not surprising anyone with a frantic request.
Find an Emergency Caregiver (or Two) – Not all disasters require you to evacuate your home, but some may make it difficult or impossible to get home. Dangerous road conditions, sudden hospitalizations, family emergencies, or any number of urgent, unanticipated scenarios can leave your furry friends’ home alone without care. Talk with trusted, small mammal-savvy neighbors, friends, and family members who live close by so you know you always have a backup plan in case you can’t make it home to care for your little ones.
Hotels – One of the most straightforward options is to determine which hotels/motels in your area, or along common evacuation routes, have pet-friendly policies. Make sure to ask if they have discounted pet rates during emergencies or if they’re willing to waive their pet policy altogether during an evacuation. Keep a pet-friendly hotel list handy so you’re not scrambling to find it when a storm is approaching.
Animal Care Facilities – While not as ideal as keeping your pets with you, consider including small mammal-friendly boarding facilities, animal shelters, and vet clinics in your search.
Post-Disaster Emergency Shelter – During a widespread disaster, emergency shelters are often provided by the federal government or local/national charity organizations to give folks a place to stay throughout the clean-up and reconstruction phase. These shelters provide basic needs such as food, water, medicine, and sanitary facilities, but many are loud, overcrowded, and not animal friendly. Touch base with your local emergency management office to determine if any known emergency shelter sites welcome people and their pets (including exotic companion mammals).
Despite immaculate disaster planning, there are times evacuation won’t be possible. Extreme weather conditions can arise suddenly or worsen without warning. Similarly, there will be times that evacuation won’t be necessary, though safety precautions will still need to be taken. As a result, in addition to a steadfast evacuation plan, it’s equally important to create a shelter plan.
Sheltering is appropriate when conditions require you to seek shelter in your home when emergencies arise. The length of time you are required to take shelter may be short, such as during a tornado warning, or for an extended period, like many have experienced during the COVID pandemic. In all cases, it is important that you stay informed and follow the instructions of local authorities.
Designate “Safe Rooms” - Windowless rooms (such as utility rooms and bathrooms) and basements make great safe zones to guard against flying or falling debris. During a flood, seek out the highest location in the home or find a room with tall counters, cabinets, and shelves on which animals can safely stay within an enclosure or pet carrier until the threat passes.
Prepare Your Home – If you’re facing weather conditions accompanied by high winds (like tornados) close all the doors and windows and ensure air vents and fireplace dampers are properly sealed. Turn off fans, air conditioning, and forced-air heating. Though they seem minor, these steps will help limit the amount of debris and aerosolized contaminants that enter the home, thereby protecting your furry friends’ delicate respiratory system.
Consider a Generator – A quality generator is a major investment, but if electricity is lost, generators can help keep your home warm and well-lit until power is restored.
Stock Up! – All well-equipped small mammal emergency kits should include a minimum 5 – 7-day supply of fresh hay, food, and bottled water for your little ones. If you live in an area that is especially susceptible to extreme weather patterns, it may be best to keep even more on hand as it can sometimes be difficult, if not impossible, to leave your home and buy more.
Be Ready to Improvise – Unfortunately, local authorities may not have an immediately clear picture of what is happening, or how long it will last. As a result, it is often recommended to keep plastic sheeting, duct tape, and a hammer and nails handy to help patch up broken windows or to keep any drafts to a minimum. Space heaters, extra animal bedding and litter, garbage bags, and several gallons of drinkable water also tend to come in handy.
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