Natural disasters come in many forms: hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, violent storms, and more. Where you live plays a big part in what severe conditions you’ll likely face — the East Coast is frequently in the path of hurricanes and forests on the West Coast may fuel wildfires.
When a natural disaster strikes, it can leave both people and animals without homes, electricity, or access to clean water. The best way to prepare for an emergency is to have a disaster plan in place ahead of time.
Animals may not be allowed in certain hotels or disaster evacuation shelters (such as Red Cross centers) unless they’re service animals. Identify shelters, out-of-town friends, or relatives where your pets and other animals can stay. You can find boarding facilities or animal hospitals near your evacuation site that could hold your pet until you’re able to return home.
Create a buddy system in case you’re not home during an emergency. Ask a trusted neighbor who can check on your animals and evacuate them if necessary.
Find a veterinary center or animal hospital in the area where you’ll be evacuating — Add their contact information to your emergency kit. It’s also helpful to keep at least 3 different vets’ numbers in your phone in case your regular vet is out of reach or can’t help for whatever reason.
If you shelter at home with your pets, place this sticker (Trusted Source) on your front door to let people know that there are pets inside. If you evacuate with your pets, if time allows, write “EVACUATED” across the sticker.
After a disaster, familiar scents and landmarks may have changed. Pets can become confused and lost, so it’s important to keep them on a leash or in a carrier when going outside or being transported.
This can include other people’s pets, wildlife, or stray animals. Since you won’t know if they’ve come into contact with anything contaminated, it’s best to avoid interactions.
Water that’s been at a standstill, especially from flooding, can contain heavy metals, bacteria, dangerous materials, or objects that can be harmful to you and your pets.
If you become separated from your pet, you’ll have a higher chance of being reunited with them if they’re wearing a collar that has a tag with your information on it, including your cell number. FidoTabby Alert is another option — get a free tag and utilize their nationwide pet alert network if your cat or dog goes missing.
Collars and tags can be lost or broken, but microchipping offers permanent identification. Any shelter or vet can scan a found pet for a microchip and get the owner’s contact information.
Some natural disasters can cause exposure to stagnant water, other animals, and overcrowding, which can put your pet at risk of getting sick.
An evacuation will go more smoothly if you have everything you need readily on hand for all two- and four-legged family members. You can make last-minute evacuations quick and easy by keeping everything you need to transport your pet or pets safely in a convenient location to grab as you leave the house. This might include carriers, leashes, pet seat belts, harnesses, and even muzzles.
For some pet owners, it’s not as simple as loading Fido in the carrier and driving to safety. Larger animals, feathered ones, and more stubborn ones — like horses, chickens, and pigs — are still part of the family and need the same consideration in the event of a natural disaster. In addition to the tips above, also keep the following in mind for these unorthodox besties.
Plan transportation — Ready all transport vehicles, including securing someone to drive them and handle the animals inside. You want someone who’s familiar with maneuvering both the animal and its appropriate mode of transportation in an emergency.
Make sure you have supplies — Ensure your safe place has the right feed, access to water, and veterinary resources to care for your animals.
Evacuate early — Whenever possible, evacuate animals at the first sign of impending disaster. The more time you can allot for transporting your farm friends, the better.
Shelter-in-place responsibly — If you think you might not be able to evacuate, you’ll want to decide ahead of an emergency what to do with the animals. Is the barn ready if you plan to store them? Are you prepared to let them run loose outside?
Staying informed of the emergency as it unfolds can mean the difference between getting to safety and getting stuck. Here are some ways to keep track of current conditions in the event of a disaster:
We recommend storing all of these items in a waterproof duffle bag or satchel that’s easy for you to carry. Here’s what to pack in your pet’s disaster kit:
Familiarize yourself with these disaster resources so that you know where to go and what to do when disaster strikes.
Remain calm — if your pet has been injured, start off by assessing their injuries. Is it something you can care for with your first aid kit? Or is it a serious injury? Call the vet numbers saved in your phone if it’s something you can’t handle or are unsure about.
If you’re sheltering in place, the vet may be able to help you over the phone, or you can contact a telehealth service that offers video chat.
If your pet gets hurt, here are the best ways to handle them safely.
Never assume — Even the gentlest pet can bite or scratch if injured. Pain and fear can make any animal unpredictable or dangerous.
Keep a reasonable distance — Don’t attempt to hug an injured pet and always keep your face away from their mouth. This might scare the animal more or cause them pain, and you risk being bitten in the face.
Take it slow and gentle — Perform any contact with your pet slowly and gently. They’ll likely be stressed or scared, and fast movements can make matters worse. Stop if your animal becomes more agitated or stressed.
Visit a vet or clinic — Try to get your pet to a veterinarian as quickly as possible without risking injury or illness to yourself or your family. Vets will be stretched thin during emergencies, so reach out to clinics outside of your immediate area if need be.
Coming back after a disaster has hit can be stressful for everyone. Here are some tips on how to make it as easy as possible for both you and your pet when you’re returning home.
If you lost your pet during the disaster and can’t find them, here are steps to take so you can bring them home.
Call the microchip company — Let them know your pet is missing and make sure all the information about your pet, including your current contact information, is current.
Contact your local humane society or animal control — Many shelters and organizations will house pets that were lost during disasters. You can contact animal control to make them aware in case they find your pet.
Reach out to neighbors — Your pet may have tried to return to familiar territory. If your community has an online message board, try posting a “lost pet” notice there. You can also try giving your neighbors a missing pet flyer and asking them to keep an eye out for your beloved pet.
Natural disasters may strike at any moment — some you can plan for, and others you can’t. By following our guide and your local guidelines, you and your pets will be well-prepared to handle any emergency.
An emergency kit should include at least a three-day supply of water for everyone in your group or a filtration straw, like LifeStraw, and a three-day supply of non-perishable food items, flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, a whistle to signal for help, dust masks, plastic sheeting and duct tape, a tool to help turn off utilities like a wrench or pliers, and local maps.
Your pet emergency kit should have a three-day supply of food and water for each pet, medications and any medical records stored in a waterproof container, collar with ID tag, harness, or leash, pet carrier, sanitation supplies like litter and/or poop bags, a picture of you and your pet together, familiar items like treats, toys, or bedding, a first aid kit, emergency contact list, and any other important documents like registration or adoption papers.
The four phases of emergency management are mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. During the mitigation phase, you want to take steps to reduce the impact of a disaster, like microchipping your pet. Preparedness includes all the planning you should do before an emergency happens like creating an emergency kit. Phase three, response, include your actions during the emergency to ensure safety and deciding whether you’ll evacuate or shelter in place. And the final phase, recovery, includes all your efforts to return to normal.
Before entering a shelter during an emergency, ensure your pets have proper identification and/or a microchip with up-to-date contact information; emergency supplies including food, water, medication, and any special care instructions; vaccination records; and a carrier or crate to transport them safely.
During a disaster evacuation, never leave your pets behind. Have a plan in place to keep them secure, have an emergency kit ready that includes a supply of essentials for at least three days, know where you’re going to go to find safety, and above all else, stay calm.
