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The recent devastating fires in Pacific Palisades have many of us thinking about how to be prepared in the event of a life-threatening emergency. While it’s never fun to think about, it’s important to take some time and make - or review - an emergency preparedness plan for you and your furry family members.
Would YOU be ready in an emergency?
Emergencies can happen at any time, whether it’s a wildfire like the Pacific Palisades fire, a tornado in Northeast Ohio, or a sudden power outage. When disaster strikes, having an emergency plan for your pets is just as important as having one for yourself.
Here’s how to be ready to grab your pets and go at a moment’s notice.
Have a Grab-and-Go Bag for Your Pets
Just like you might prepare an emergency bag for yourself, you should have one ready for your pets. This bag should include:
Food and Water: Pack at least three days’ worth of pet food in a waterproof container. Include collapsible bowls for feeding and drinking.
Medications: If your pet takes medications, keep a supply in your emergency kit along with written instructions for administering them.
Pet First Aid Kit: Include bandages, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, and any other basics.
Important Documents: Keep a copy of your pet’s vaccination records, microchip information, and any relevant medical history in a waterproof bag.
Make Carriers, Leashes & Harnesses Easily Accessible
In an emergency, time is of the essence. Keep carriers for cats and smaller animals in a place where you can grab them quickly. For dogs, have leashes, harnesses, and collars ready to go near the door.
Make sure your pet’s collar or harness has an ID tag with updated contact information, and double-check that their microchip details are current.
Comfort Items for Your Pet
Stressful situations can make pets anxious. Pack comfort items like a favorite blanket, toy, or something that smells like home to help them feel secure.
Know Your Pet’s Hiding Spots
In a crisis, pets may hide. Knowing their favorite hiding places can save valuable time. Practice gathering your pets quickly so you’re prepared if you need to evacuate.
Emergency Shelter Plan
Not all emergency shelters allow pets, so research pet-friendly shelters in your area ahead of time. You can also look for pet-friendly hotels or have a list of friends or family members who could temporarily house your pets.
Prepare for Power Outages
Tornadoes and storms often cause power outages, which can affect your pet’s safety:
Keep Extra Batteries: If your pet relies on an electric device like an automatic feeder or heated bed, keep extra batteries or a backup power source.
Stay Cool or Warm: Plan for temperature changes, like cooling pads in the summer or blankets in the winter.
Practice Evacuating with Your Pets
A dry run can make a real emergency less stressful. Practice loading your pets into carriers and leashing them quickly. Get them used to traveling in the car so they’re less likely to panic during an evacuation.
Be Prepared, Stay Safe
Emergencies are unpredictable, but with some preparation, you can keep your pets safe and reduce stress during chaotic moments. Start building your pet emergency kit today—because when every second counts, being ready makes all the difference.
If you have questions about preparing for emergencies with your pets, reach out to us or make a note to discuss it at your next wellness exam.
Start Building Your Emergency Plan with our FREE Guide
Having an emergency plan sounds great - but getting started can be overwhelming.
That's why we created this FREE downloadable Emergency Plan + Pet Info Workbook. Download it, fill it out, and keep it with your emergency kit.
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