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This month is National Pet Preparedness Month and so I thought we’d talk about why it’s important to have an emergency plan, not just for yourself and your human family, but also for your dog.
June is the start of the hurricane season in the US. Tornados and wildfires are also prevalent this time of year.
With more severe weather events and other disaster incidents occurring every year, having a plan for both human and pet safety is no longer an option.
There are local, state, and federal government agencies dedicated to planning for these incidents. But multiple incidents have shown us that you can’t rely on them to help you in the moment.
Also, plans and rules around pets can vary by location. So the help available is one place might be non-existent in another.
These agencies do, however, make some decent educational materials. If you’re new to emergency preparedness, Ready.gov is a good place to start.
They actually have a whole section on pet disaster preparedness with a lot of resources.
So let’s talk about how to make sure your dog is prepared for most emergencies.
You should also know that there are some special considerations to think about if you have a large-breed, senior dog.
The Pet Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (“PETS Act”)
Disaster preparedness and response in the US is authorized by a law known as the Stafford Act. This was passed in 1988.
The PETS Act was a 2006 amendment to the Stafford Act made in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Before that, there were no laws that required pets or service animals to be rescued or allowed into shelters during emergencies.
During Katrina, this resulted in two major complications to human emergency efforts:
People who refused to evacuate without their pets
61% of pet owners say that they would refuse to leave their pets in an emergency.
During Katrina, many people did just that. They chose to weather the storm at home, sharing the risk to life and limb with their pets rather than leave them to fend for themselves.
People who were forced to leave their pets behind
Other people were forced to evacuate without their pets. Some of those pets were able to be rescued but it’s estimated that most either perished or were resued but never able to be reunited with their families.
One of the most visible examples of this was a news video showing a boy crying while being forcibly separated from his small dog as his family boarded an evacuation bus.
This heartbreaking scene is what inspired the proposal of the PETS Act.
“The scene from New Orleans of a 9-year-old little boy crying because he was not allowed to take his little white dog Snowball was too much to bear. Personally, I know I wouldn’t have been able to leave my little white dog Masko to a fate of almost certain death. As I watched the images of the heartbreaking choices the gulf residents had to make, I was moved to find a way to prevent this from ever happening again.”
Tom Lantos, co-sponsor of the PETS Act
The Act allows government agencies to provide funding to state and local governments to create, operate, and maintain pet-friendly emergency shelters. It also reimburses state and local agencies for the cost of rescuing and sheltering pets in an emergency.
One common myth about the PETS Act is that it requires hotels and motels to accept pets in an emergency. This is false, but it gets repeated often online. Some hotels/motels may choose to accept evacuees’ pets, but they aren’t required to.
General Pet Disaster Preparedness for Everyone
Assessment
You need to know what disasters are most likely in your area. That way you know what to prepare for.
Are severe weather events like hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or blizzards possible in your area?
What about earthquakes or wildfires?
Everyone is susceptible to housefires or, as we’ve all just seen, widespread illness.
Plan
Plan for what you would do if any of the scenarios above were to happen. Would you want to leave the area or hunker down at home?
Find out if your state has any emergency preparedness laws or, even better, emergency plans for pets in a disaster.
Locate any pet-friendly emergency shelters in your area.
Are there hotel/motel chains nearby that accept pets?
Find a friend or family member who can accommodate you and your dog if you have to leave the area.
Figure out what supplies you would need to either be stuck at home for an extended period of time or have to leave quickly. Make a plan to gather these up and keep them organized.
Supplies
Gather up what you think you would need for the most likely scenarios that you identified. Some common suggestions are listed below.
If you are staying put…
- Food
- Water
- Medications or supplements
- A dog first aid kit
- Toys to keep them occupied
If you are evacuating…
- Travel versions of the items above
- A harness or crate
- Bedding or a blanket
- Vet records
- A picture of you and your pet to prove ownership
Practice
The time to test out any new gear or plans is before you need it. You don’t want to find out that your safety plan has flaws in the middle of an actual emergency.
Take time every few months to do a dry run of gathering up your supplies as if you and your dog had to evacuate. Was everything easy to find and load up? Or do you need to make some changes?
This is also a good time to check expiration dates and rotate out any food that’s at risk of going bad soon.
Special Considerations for Large, Senior Dogs
Most recommendations for pet safety in an emergency will work for any size house pet, but there are a few areas where large, senior dogs might have a few challenges.
Here are some areas to take into consideration.
Transportation
Make sure that you have some form of transportation that can handle your dog’s large size. Depending on just how large your dog is, they probably take up the same amount of space as an additional person.
If you’re evacuating, you are going to need to make space in the car and possibly need an extra-large dog crate. Don’t forget to account for this when you are preparing a packing list.
Mobility
Large older dogs frequently have mobility issues, such as arthritis. This can make climbing in and out of vehicles or using stairs difficult.
Make sure you account for this in your plans. You might need to include a portable dog ramp or a dog lifting harness in your emergency supplies.
Medications
Older dogs are much more likely to have regular medications that they need to take. Make sure to always bring this with you if you are forced to evacuate.
Try to have at least a two week supply on hand. This will be enough to get you through the majority of common situations. One way to do this is to always refill your dog’s medication a few days early. This will leave you with a couple of extra doses on hand. After a few months, you’ll work up to the two week supply.
Stress
For any pet, an emergency situation requiring a change in their routine and surroundings is going to be stressful. But for an older dog who might also be dealing with health issues or dementia, it can be particularly scary.
Make sure that your dog emergency kit includes a favorite blanket or toy. Having a recognizable item with a familiar smell can be comforting to your dog.
Consider including a calming supplement in your kit with your veterinarian’s ok. Melatonin and CBD are two common options that can help with stress and anxiety in pets.
Final Thoughts on Pet Disaster Preparedness
Emergency situations are becoming more and more common. Having a safety plan for yourself and your dog is essential.
The majority of pet owners will not leave their pets in an emergency.
With a little planning, you can minimize the chance that you have to chose between your own safety and your dog’s.
So make sure that your family has a pet disaster preparedness plan and that you review it regularly.
Keep yourself and your dog safe no matter what life throws at you.
Are you and your dog prepared for an emergency situation? What’s one thing that you can do today to help keep your pet safe during a disaster? Tell us in the comments!
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