Preparing your pet in case of a natural disaster

No one will ever forget the images of a hurricane ravaged Gulf Coast or the bleak desolation of a wildfire.  Media inundates us with pictures of human misery and also the suffering and plight of the animals. Abandoned pets, forcible separations, and video of dogs and cats desperate to survive have now been etched deeply into our memories.

The Hurricane Katrina tragedy taught emergency preparedness personnel much about the power of the human-animal bond.

A significant number of people who refused evacuation orders reported caring for pets as a major reason for staying behind. Sometimes forming packs, starving dogs complicated search and rescue efforts during the flood. Abandoned animals added to the toxic bacterial contamination of trapped flood waters. Newly homeless families hesitated to leave the area while they desperately searched for their missing pets.

Before Katrina, it was unheard of to provide emergency shelters to accommodate pets. Today, disaster response authorities frequently incorporate family pets into their planning.

In fact, legislation mandating the accounting for people’s pets in disaster plans was proposed and enacted in 2006.  The Pet Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS Act) insures that any state asking for federal assistance in emergency situations must have plans for accommodating pets and service animals during evacuations.

However, disaster planning still needs to start with the pet owner.  Being prepared for the types of emergencies common in your area can be a life-saver to your pet.

First and foremost, if you are ordered to evacuate your home, you should plan to take your pets with you.  Even anticipated short evacuations can turn into week long absences. Other recommendations include maintaining proper identification on your pets, preparing evacuation kits, and obtaining pertinent medical records from your veterinarian.

The American Veterinary Medical Association has developed resources to help both pet owners and government officials in planning for natural disasters. The association has provided free access to their materials through avma.org/products/disaster/.

As an example of the useful information, the AVMA recommends the following items be assembled as a small animal evacuation kit:

n 2-week supply of food (dry & canned)

n 2-week supply of water in plastic gallon jugs

n Batteries (flashlight, radio)

n Cage/carrier (for each animal, labeled with your contact information)

n Can opener (manual)

n Cat/wildlife gloves

n Copies of veterinary records and proof of ownership

n Emergency contact list

n Familiar items to make pets feel comfortable (favorite toys, treats, blankets)

n First aid kit (see next page)

n Flashlight

n Instructions for diet and medications, including amount, frequency, and how to get refills

n Leash, collar, harness (for each animal)

n Litter, litter pan, litter scoop

n Maps of local area and alternate evacuation routes (in case of road closures)

n Muzzles (dog or cat)

n Newspaper (bedding, litter)

n No-spill food and water dishes

n Paper towels

n Radio (solar and battery operated)

n Spoon (for canned food)

n Stakes and tie-outs

n Trash bags

The “Saving the Whole Family” guide also include suggestions for horses and livestock, supply lists for animal first aid kits, transportation tips for evacuating exotic pet species, and a wealth of additional information designed for the general public.

The “AVMA Disaster Preparedness and Response Guide” is geared more toward emergency planners. It includes model emergency plans and detailed fact sheets for earthquakes, floods, thunderstorms, fires, tornadoes, winter storms, extreme heat, volcano, tsunami, hurricanes and hazardous materials accidents.

There is also basic information on animal handling and disease control that should be part of the training for emergency response personnel.

Veterinarians take an oath to protect not only the well-being of animals, but also the public health. Veterinarians from around the county, both in official capacities and as volunteers, contributed to the Katrina recovery effort.

Now the profession is joining in the effort to improve the nation’s preparedness for all types of unexpected disasters. Talk with your veterinarian if you would like more information.

 Dr. Watts is a companion animal general practitioner and owner of Clevengers Corner Veterinary Care. He can be reached through ClevengersCorner.com or by calling 428-1000.