The summer season has come, and everyone’s prepared to go to the beach, local parks, have a picnic, or travel. But one thing people aren’t prepared for is the hurricane season. Hurricanes can shatter your life as well as damage property. Being prepared is the only option to help you and your family minimize the disaster’s impact. A hurricane may strike your town. A flood may ravage your city. Luckily you’ve made it through safely without a plan, but what about your pets? 

At times like this, your pets will be even more dependent on you for their safety and well-being. Even if your pet has a strong, independent trait similar to what was featured in William and Tibby Forever, Lynda Hamblen book with an indomitable kitten, they have less ability than people to escape dangerous conditions, especially when they’re in cages or tied up. A pet should never be left behind to fend for themselves. If it’s not safe for humans, more likely it’s not safe for our furry friends. Pets will be injured, starve, or perish when they’re left behind and on their own. Every minute is critical; it’ll be hard to get back to your home once you’re rescued. Therefore, make sure your pets are protected when disaster strikes. Your family’s disaster plans must include your furry friends; they are part of the family, after all.

Now is the best time to prepare before the threat is imminent, or else it may be too late to take certain precautions. It’s never too early to prepare for natural disasters; it’s actually a smart idea to have a precautionary measure in advance. Learn what to do to keep your beloved pets safe!

Build a Basic Disaster Kit

In an emergency, it’s impossible to avoid injuries and wounds. Just as you do with your family’s emergency kit, your pets must have one too. Think first about the basics for survival when building a kit for your pet, such as several days’ supply of food and water. A responsible pet owner must also have a pet emergency kit with gauzes, bandages, food, immunization records, microchip information, vet emergency contact information, and medicines. Furthermore, sturdy leashes, harnesses, and carriers are essential equipment to transport your pets safely. Carriers should be large enough in case pets have to stay in them for hours. Lastly, carry your pet’s favorite toy or blanket to comfort them during this uneasy situation. 

Microchip and Vaccinate Pets

Wearing collars and ID tags can help others identify pets when you’ve become separated from them. However, collars and ID tags may come off and become damaged during an emergency, making it hard to reunite with your pets. For that reason, the best option is to have a registered microchip inserted under your pets’ skin. A microchip is a small device that contains an identification number and your information that a shelter and veterinarian can scan. It’s the best way to ensure that you and your pet are reunited if you’re separated. Be sure to have your information up-to-date and includes an emergency number of a friend or relative beside you. 

Moreover, having your pets vaccinated reduces the risk of sickness and contracting diseases from the conditions during an emergency. 

Identify Pet-friendly Shelters and Emergency Veterinary Facilities

If it’s not safe for you to stay in your home during an emergency, it’s not safe for pets either. Search in advance for out-of-area pet-friendly hotels or shelter facilities, or make a housing exchange agreement with a friend or relative outside your town. Never assume that you’ll be allowed to bring your pet to local emergency shelters or that other shelters nearby will be able to accommodate everyone, including pets. Thus, check the website of local office emergency management regarding pet evacuations. 

Identifying in out-of-area veterinary facilities is crucial considering that most establishments will be closed once disaster hits your town. Even if you have a first aid kit, some injuries and sickness can be out of your control. So make sure you know how to access other emergency facilities. 

Have Precautionary Measures in Case You’re Not Home

Disasters strike when you least expect it. Therefore, in case you’re away during an evacuation order, make arrangements with someone or a neighbor in advance to help evacuate your pets and meet you at a specified location. Be sure that this person is someone your pets are comfortable and familiar with. Give them an emergency key to your home, the location of the pet disaster kit, and where your pets are likely to be hiding. If you have a pet-sitter, discuss the possibility in advance.