Don't wait for a disaster to strike, make sure your pet is prepared now

Tuki
·4 min read

Hi Friends – Tuki here from my perch at the Potter League. I heard the staff here talking and June is National Pet Preparedness Month. Since the Potter League is located on an island, I thought that you should know how to prepare for storms, evacuations, and other emergencies for your pet(s).

One of the first and easiest things you can do is to get a rescue alert sticker for your home. This sticker is placed on a window and tells rescue workers that there are pets in the home. You can get these stickers at some pet stores or order them online from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). If you evacuate and take your pet with you, be sure to write ‘EVACUATED’ on the sticker or take it off entirely so rescue workers don’t waste time looking for you or them!

You should also consider having your pet microchipped. If they already are, be sure the contact information associated with the chip is up to date. This will help to reunite you with your furry family member should you become separated.

The Humane Society of Naples and Bissell Pet Foundation prepare rescued animals to be airlifted from Hurricane Ian to be relocated to other areas of the United States of America in Naples, Fl. Wednesday October 5th 2022. Erik Kellar Photography
The Humane Society of Naples and Bissell Pet Foundation prepare rescued animals to be airlifted from Hurricane Ian to be relocated to other areas of the United States of America in Naples, Fl. Wednesday October 5th 2022. Erik Kellar Photography

Next, you’ll want to find a safe place for you and your pet to go in case there is an evacuation. If it’s not safe for you to stay behind, it’s not safe for them either! Some of the options include:

• Local hotels or motels that accept pets – not all of them do so it’s best to find ones that do in advance

• Animal shelters – some local animal shelters offer emergency shelter for pets

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• Local boarding facilities to see whether they may be able to provide emergency shelter

• Friends or relatives outside your area may be able to house your pets (and you!) temporarily

• Temporary emergency shelters – many communities set up temporary shelters during disasters for people who must evacuate their homes. Some of these will take pets but many will not so it’s best to research alternatives for your pets in case you need to go to one of these shelters.

You should have an emergency kit for yourself, but don’t forget one for your pet. You should plan to have 3 to 7 days of supplies because if there are power outages, stores may not be able to open. The kit for your pet should include:

• Your pet’s collar with current identification tags, leash, and a harness if they wear one

Tuki
Tuki

• Food and bottled water

• Your pet’s medical and vaccination records. This is especially important if you need to board your pet in an emergency shelter or boarding facility, but may also be needed if your pet gets sick or injured and needs veterinary care. This information can be on paper, on a USB drive, or in the ‘cloud’ but remember, if there is no power, electronic copies may not be accessible.

• Any medications that your pet takes regularly

• Disposable litter trays and cat litter for cats

• Disposable bags for clean-up. Disposable bags that come on a roll are handy because they can be used for cleaning up after dogs and to scoop a litter box – and they are easy to carry and store.

• Cleaning materials such as liquid soap, disinfectant, and paper towels

Tips from the Potter League: What are pet microchips and why now is the time to get one?

• An appropriate-sized crate or carrier for each pet

• Blankets for bedding. A pet bed may be more comfortable for your pet but is also not easy to carry or store if you are staying somewhere temporarily.

• Recent photos of your pet in case you get separated.

• Pet toys – their favorite toys may be comforting when your pets are stressed or in an unfamiliar place

• A pet first aid kit – you can purchase one of these already stocked or make your own

• In addition, for birds (the most important pet of all, in my opinion!) you should have a travel cage or carrier with a blanket or cover for warmth or to decrease stress, and if they have leg bands, keep them on so your bird can be identified.

After the storm, you will need to protect them from any remaining hazards like broken glass or other debris and inspect any areas like a fenced yard to be sure that it is secure before letting them loose. Just like yourself, your pet will need time to readjust and may be stressed or upset. They may become temporarily defensive or aggressive. If you are unable to return home immediately, try and make a safe, familiar space for them wherever you are. Put their blanket or bedding and some toys in a quiet spot – this may be their crate or carrier – and give them time to adjust to the changes. If behavior problems continue, consult your veterinarian.

If you want more information about how to prepare for emergencies with your pets, go to ready.gov/pets

Hopefully, this is advice that you won’t need to use, but it is better to be prepared!

‘Til next time!

Your friend, Tuki

Mail questions to Tuki, 87 Oliphant Lane Middletown, RI, 02842, or send email to TukiTalk@PotterLeague.org. The Potter League for Animals can be found at 87 Oliphant Lane in Middletown and online at potterleague.org.

This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Potter League offers tips for National Pet Preparedness Month