Preparing before the storm is key to keeping everyone in the family safe, including your companion animals. It’s even more important now that many pet owners are staying with their furry friends at home due to the coronavirus pandemic.
TurfMutt Foundation shared six tips on including your pets in creating your disaster preparedness plan.
- Have pets microchipped. In the event of an emergency, you may want to ensure your pet can return to you if you were separated. Collars and ID tags are as important, but they may break or detach.
- Bring pets inside your homes at the first sign of danger. Disasters can be disorienting for pets and they can run and eventually hurt themselves in the process of panicking.
- If you have to leave or go somewhere else, keep your pets with you. It is never a good idea to leave your pets behind during a natural disaster, because they might be exposed to a number of life-threatening hazards. Keep them on a leash or carrier so they don’t escape.
- Determine your destination and where you’ll go. If government officials advise residents to leave your homes, you need a strong Plan B. Not all emergency shelters accept pets and due to the coronavirus, physical distancing may also reduce the shelter’s capacity.
- Create a pet-friendly resource list. Research a list of veterinarians in the area in case your pet need medical care. Also check boarding facilities that are nearby in case you need to separate from your pet.
- Pack an emergency bag. Packed emergency bags is very important in case you need to evacuate your home quickly. Choose an easy-to-carry bag, label it and keep it somewhere all family members can easily find it. The bag should include a pet first aid kit, enough food and water that will last you a week and some medications.
You might want to read:
– Here’s how you can include your pets in your “coronavirus preparedness plans”
– Quezon City government plans to open public veterinary clinic
– Manila Mayor Isko Moreno plans free neutering for stray animals in Manila
