Things happen that are beyond our control each day. Emergencies can spring up with no notice, leaving you and your loved ones in dangerous situations. While there's no way to anticipate or avoid some dangers, there are ways that you can prepare and have a plan in place to improve your position if the worst should happen. Below are some tips to handle significant situations 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 almost always a significant factor of survival and fast reaction can mean you escape unscathed, rather than scrambling and not knowing what to do. Have a plan, and systems in place to allow you to do what you must do within seconds, and confidently.
The first thing you must do for your pets is to form a contingency plan with a neighbor. It should be someone you trust with the handling of your pet and a key to your home, and it must be someone nearby. Having an individual available to check on your pet and supply emergency food, clean up or evacuation for your pets is exceedingly important. This will come into play in situations where you cannot get back to your home for an extended time for instance in the event of a snow or ice storm, industrial accidents blocking you from your community, or an emergency trip to the ER.
Ensure the neighbor you have chosen is acquainted with your pets and won't have to chase 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 critical to your pet while you are away.
Emergency Supply Kit
The kit container might be a pet carrier or crate. It needs to contain food and water, medications, first aid supplies, ID, vaccination tags, proof of ownership, emergency contacts, collar, leash, plastic bags, cleaners and disinfectant, linens, and toys.
In Case of Evacuation
If you've got to abandon your house and it is safe to bring your pets with you, do so. You should have all that you need in the short term in your emergency supply kit. Bear in mind that most evacuation centres do not permit pets, aside from service animals, due to allergies and limited space and supplies. Therefore, if you are looking to bring your pets with you in the case of an evacuation, you're going to need to have a safe 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 in which to stay and if feasible call as quickly as you know that you have to evacuate to secure a room. Check with friends to determine if they would be willing to take you and your pets, or simply you pets, in case of an emergency. Also check with pet boarding facilities and vet offices that might be able to harbor your pet in the event of an evacuation. Keep their contact info convenient. You might want to keep these lists in your emergency supply kit.
Worst Case Scenario
If there is an emergency scenario where you need to leave your pets behind, do not fight it or argue 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 satisfactory ventilation,eg a cellar, den or a rest room. You might have to use pet gates to ensure your pets will not leave a safe area. Leave sufficient food out to last a few days. Leave as much water as possible. If leaving your pets in the bathroom, fill the sink, bathtub and any empty containers with water. Your pet will be upset and drink more water than normal so this its important that they have as much as is possible. Give them as many comforts as possible like bedding, favorite toys, and treats. Cage little animals and do not leave animals that will fight in the same room (ex. Dogs and cats). Make sure 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 occur, being prepared can save the lives of you and your pet by saving time and having the necessities to hand. You'll never regret being properly prepared.
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 almost always a significant factor of survival and fast reaction can mean you escape unscathed, rather than scrambling and not knowing what to do. Have a plan, and systems in place to allow you to do what you must do within seconds, and confidently.
The first thing you must do for your pets is to form a contingency plan with a neighbor. It should be someone you trust with the handling of your pet and a key to your home, and it must be someone nearby. Having an individual available to check on your pet and supply emergency food, clean up or evacuation for your pets is exceedingly important. This will come into play in situations where you cannot get back to your home for an extended time for instance in the event of a snow or ice storm, industrial accidents blocking you from your community, or an emergency trip to the ER.
Ensure the neighbor you have chosen is acquainted with your pets and won't have to chase 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 critical to your pet while you are away.
Emergency Supply Kit
The kit container might be a pet carrier or crate. It needs to contain food and water, medications, first aid supplies, ID, vaccination tags, proof of ownership, emergency contacts, collar, leash, plastic bags, cleaners and disinfectant, linens, and toys.
In Case of Evacuation
If you've got to abandon your house and it is safe to bring your pets with you, do so. You should have all that you need in the short term in your emergency supply kit. Bear in mind that most evacuation centres do not permit pets, aside from service animals, due to allergies and limited space and supplies. Therefore, if you are looking to bring your pets with you in the case of an evacuation, you're going to need to have a safe 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 in which to stay and if feasible call as quickly as you know that you have to evacuate to secure a room. Check with friends to determine if they would be willing to take you and your pets, or simply you pets, in case of an emergency. Also check with pet boarding facilities and vet offices that might be able to harbor your pet in the event of an evacuation. Keep their contact info convenient. You might want to keep these lists in your emergency supply kit.
Worst Case Scenario
If there is an emergency scenario where you need to leave your pets behind, do not fight it or argue 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 satisfactory ventilation,eg a cellar, den or a rest room. You might have to use pet gates to ensure your pets will not leave a safe area. Leave sufficient food out to last a few days. Leave as much water as possible. If leaving your pets in the bathroom, fill the sink, bathtub and any empty containers with water. Your pet will be upset and drink more water than normal so this its important that they have as much as is possible. Give them as many comforts as possible like bedding, favorite toys, and treats. Cage little animals and do not leave animals that will fight in the same room (ex. Dogs and cats). Make sure 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 occur, being prepared can save the lives of you and your pet by saving time and having the necessities to hand. You'll never regret being properly prepared.
About the Author:
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.
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