Things occur that are beyond our control each day. Emergencies can spring up with no notice, leaving you and your family and friends in dangerous situations. While there is not any way to anticipate or avoid some hazards, there are ways in which you can prepare and have a plan in place to improve your position if the worst should occur. Here are some tips to handle serious scenarios with your pets.

Prepare

Being prepared in the slim case of an emergency can be the honest to goodness difference between life and death for you and your pets. Time is sure to be a key factor of survival and quick reaction can mean you escape unscathed, instead of scrambling and having no idea what to do. Have a plan, and systems in place to permit you to do what you have to do within seconds, and with confidence.

The first thing you must do for your pets is to form a contingency plan with a neighbour. It should be somebody you trust with the handling of your pet and a key to your place, and it needs to be someone nearby. Having somebody available to check on your pet and supply emergency food, clean up or evacuation for your pets is extremely important. This will come into play in scenarios where you cannot get back to your house for an extended time period, for instance in case of a snow or ice storm, industrial accidents blocking you from your neighbourhood, or an emergency trip to the emergency room.

Ensure the neighbour you’ve chosen is comfortable with your pets and will not have to follow them down or expend a great deal of time looking for them. Create an emergency supply kit for your pets that a caretaker can grab in seconds containing everything imperative to your pet while you are away.

Emergency Supply Kit

The kit container may be a pet carrier or crate. It needs to contain food and water, medicines, first aid supplies, ID, vaccination tags, proof of ownership, emergency contacts, collar, leash, plastic bags, cleaners and disinfectant, linens, and toys.

In The event of Evacuation

If you have got to abandon your house and it’s safe to bring your pets with you, do so. You could have all you need in the short term in your emergency supply kit. Be aware that most evacuation centres don’t allow pets, apart from service animals, due to allergies and restricted space and supplies. Thus, if you are making plans to bring your pets with you in the case of an evacuation, you are going to need to have a secure place prepared beforehand to retreat to during the crisis.

Begin by checking out which hostels in your area welcome pets. Call around and ask about their policies concerning breeds, size and species. Compile a list of pet-safe places to stay in and if at all possible call as fast as you know you have to leave to secure a room. Check with friends to see if they’d be willing to take you and your pets, or merely you pets, in case of an emergency. Also check with pet boarding facilities and veterinary offices that might be in a position to harbor your pet in the event of an evacuation. Keep their contact information handy. You might want to keep these lists in your emergency supply kit.

Worst Case Scenario

If there’s an emergency situation where you have no choice but to leave your pets behind, don’t fight it or disagree with emergency workers, but have a plan in place to give your pets the best chance at safety. Put your pets in the most secure room, with no windows, but sufficient ventilation, for example a basement, den or a bathroom. You might have to use pet gates to ensure your pets will not leave a safe area. Leave adequate food out to last several days. Leave as much water as possible. If leaving your pets in the rest room, fill the sink, bath and any empty containers with water. Your pet will be upset and drink more water than normal so this its critical that they have as much as possible. Give them as many comforts as possible like bedding, fave toys, and treats. Cage little animals and don’t leave animals that will fight in the same room (ex. Dogs and cats). Ensure your pet has their ID tags on. Leave notice that there are pets inside such as a note on your front door.

Do not leave your pet tied up outside!

Hope against hope, you may never need to utilise your emergency plan and emergency supply kit, but if the worst should happen, being prepared can save the lives of you and your pet by saving time and having the essentials to hand. You will never regret being properly prepared.

Pamela Noble is the author or many articles on pet care for BabyAndPetGates.com. You can find more information on pet supplies on the Baby and Pet Gates website.