How to Prepare Your Pet for a Natural Disaster

Any natural disaster or emergency such as fire, flood or extreme weather conditions such as a tornado or hurricane is going to affect more than just you and your family – it will affect your pet, as well.  Knowing how to prepare your pet for such an event will help ensure that all members of your family are able to cope with whatever happens.  There are several things that you need to remember to do before disaster strikes:

Provide Identification

First, no matter how well-trained your pet is, the reactions of your pet to the natural disaster or emergency will be fear, panic and instinct.  While solid training can give you a slight edge here, you need to remember that your animal will not understand what is going on and his or her first instinct will most likely be to flee.  Make sure that your pet has tags that will identify him or her, as well as you as the owner.  Microchipping is the best option here as a collar can be broken or slipped out of if your animal panics.  Your vet can microchip your pet for a surprisingly small fee.

Update Pet Information

Keep your pet’s tags and/ or ID chip up to date with the right information, including your phone number, as well as your name and address.  You should also know where your pet likes to hide, as this can help you find him or her in the event of an emergency or disaster.

Update Shots

Another important part of pet preparedness is to ensure that your pet has all the right shots and that they are up to date.  A pet first aid kit is also a very good idea to keep handy in case your animal is injured during the event.  If you pet takes medication, it’s a good idea to store backup supplies of this in the kit in case you have to leave your home and cannot return for days or even weeks.

Purchase a Pet Carrier

Finally, have a pet carrier handy, which you can buy at any pet store, and keep it where it can be grabbed without effort – don’t tuck it away in the attic.  The carrier should be sturdy enough to hold your pet if it is panicked, but light enough that you can take it with you if you have to leave your home.