If you are like millions of animal owners across the country, your pet is an important member of your household. The best way to protect your pet from the effects of a disaster is to have a disaster plan that includes planning for your pet whether you stay at home or evacuate.
If you evacuate, leaving your pets behind is likely to result in their being injured, lost or worse. The single most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to take them with you. However, it is important to understand that many public shelters, including the Red Cross, cannot accept pets (except for service animals). So, plan ahead to take your pets to a safe place.
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Disaster Preparedness for Pets
If you can’t take your pets with you do not leave them chained outdoors or roaming free. Bring them inside and leave them in a room with no windows but with adequate ventilation (laundry room, garage, etc). House cats and dog separately, even if they usually get along. Only leave dry foods and fresh water in non-spill or auto feed containers. (Consider leaving food your pets are not wild about to prevent bingeing) Place a sticker on a door indicating the number of animals inside.
