Keeping Your Pet Safe During and After Floods and Disasters
Record-breaking rainfall, rising lakes and rivers, and mass flooding over the past few weeks have been on everyone’s mind. Tragedies of lost lives, homes, and personal possessions have weighed on our hearts, whether personally affected or not. For many loving pet owners, fears were realized with missing or injured family member pets. For those unaffected, we may wonder how we can better protect pets during floods and disasters.
Emergency Preparedness for Floods and Disasters
As you may have learned in Scouts or through taking basic first aid, being prepared is your best line of defense in an emergency situation. Yet fewer than 20% of all households have a disaster plan or kit. Fewer still have plans that include the family pets.
So, how can you take the steps to ensure your pet is safe through a natural disaster? Here are some suggestions for emergency preparedness for pets.
- In many cases, shelters do not allow pets. Keep a list of nearby hotels, veterinary clinics, friends or family members, and boarding facilities that are appropriate back-ups for your pet during an evacuation.
- Always keep your pet’s identification tags current, and consider microchipping (which is the best safeguard for the return of a missing pet).
- Pack a disaster kit for your pet, including: food and water for a week, collar and leash, crate, blanket or towels, litter box and litter or waste bags, medications, and veterinary records.
- Keep an updated file of your pet’s health records, photos, and instructions on daily care or medical requirements, as well as your contact information and that of your pet’s veterinarian. It’s always a good idea to add a few emergency back-up contacts, such as friend or family members, too.
- Create or purchase a pet first aid kit and consider taking pet first aid classes through the American Red Cross.
Special Focus on Flood Situations
Every disaster is unique in the ways we must respond to achieve safety for our family members. To protect pets during a flood, take the following precautions:
- Bring all pets inside and move to the highest level of the home
- Move all pet bedding and your pet emergency kit with you, including the crate and familiar smelling items, like a sweater or favorite toy to help alleviate stress
- If evacuated, don’t leave pets at home unless there absolutely is no choice, in which case, leave them on the highest level of the home, with water and food, and place posters or signs on outside doors and windows indicating the presence of pets in the home. Follow up by notifying Animal Care Services and the Humane Society.
- Relocate livestock, including horses, to higher ground or a stable in an unaffected region.
After a Disaster
After an emergency evacuation or the chaos of a natural disaster, our pets will feel the emotional impact of the stress and fear they have endured (much like we do). Sights, smells, and even the residential setting may be different or have to change for a while as floodwaters recede and safety is restored. This can be disorienting for pets, and their behavior will show that. Be kind, patient, and compassionate – and remember your pets are worried about you, too.
To help your pet cope, try and keep him or her with the family by staying somewhere pets are allowed, such as animal friendly lodging or a relative’s home. Maintain calm by adhering to his usual exercise, feeding, and playtime schedule to reduce the impact of these changes. Keep your pet indoors during clean-up, since there are likely downed power lines, spilled chemicals or poisons, and debris that can be dangerous.
If your pet was separated from you during the disaster, we recommend he be seen for a physical examination and parasite screening. If your pet is experiencing ongoing anxiety or behavioral changes, please call us for a consultation.
Living through a disaster can be frightening for humans and pets alike. Stay safe and know we are here for you if you have any questions about disaster preparedness for your pet.