Don’t forget your pets and animals while you’re planning! Whether they are part of the family, or how you make a living (or both!), animals have important roles in our society. Disasters can create big problems for animals of all sizes.
Here are some ideas for including them in your plan:
- Identify shelters. For public health reasons, many emergency shelters cannot accept pets.
- Have your pet microchipped and make sure that you not only keep your address and phone number up-to-date, but that you also include contact info for an emergency contact outside of your immediate area.
- If you have large animals such as horses, cattle, sheep, goats or pigs on your property, be sure to prepare before a disaster.
- Ensure all animals have some form of identification.
- Evacuate animals whenever possible. Map out primary and secondary routes in advance.
- Make available vehicles and trailers needed for transporting and supporting each type of animal. Also make available experienced handlers and drivers.
- Ensure destinations have food, water, veterinary care and handling equipment.
- If evacuation is not possible, animal owners must decide whether to move large animals to shelter or turn them outside.
Visit https://www.ready.gov/pets for more ideas on planning for your pets and animals.