Protect Your Pets

Like people, pets can feel stressed during emergencies, factoring these four-legged family members into our emergency plans will help keep them calm and safe. 

After an emergency, check your pets for injuries and watch them for behavioral changes, which could indicate stress or trauma. When it’s safe for them to go back outside, keep them leashed and secured until the environment is clear of anything that might hurt them.

Packing Their Essentials

When you’re putting together your emergency kit, bring enough supplies for your pet to be comfortable for at least a week. That might include:

• Pet food, water and feeding dishes
• Leashes, harnesses and carriers
• Waste bags and/or litter and a litter box
• Blankets and toys
• Vaccination records and identification tags

It’s also smart to pack a photo of you and your pet together, just in case you get separated from each other.

Find Pet-Friendly Stops

When planning your evacuation strategy, research pet-friendly hotels, shelters and boarding facilities that you can stop at while you’re away from home. Keep a list of these places and their contact information in your emergency kit. 

Make it Safe for Your Animals

Make your home a safe space for your pets during severe weather. Thunder and lightning might scare them, but keeping familiar toys and blankets on hand can help calm them down. 

If you have large animals or livestock, plan for their shelter and care, consider the logistics of moving them to a safer area if needed.

Practice with Your Pet

Take your pet through the motions when you practice your emergency plan. Familiarize them with their carriers and the evacuation process so that they aren’t overwhelmed during an actual emergency.