Here’s how to keep your pets safe during fires, hurricanes and other disasters

Chelsea Madden
·2 min read

Hurricane season is in full swing and takes place each year from June 1 to Nov. 30.

While you may have a preparedness plan in place for your home and your family when natural disasters strike, you may not have one for your pets yet.

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), 83% of pet owners live in a community threatened by natural disasters, but only 46% of them have a plan when faced with the disaster.

If you find that alarming, brace for the next statistic:

Over 1 in 5 pet owners have evacuated their homes due to an emergency, but nearly half left at least one pet behind when they evacuated.

30% of those that left an animal behind said that they did so because they didn’t have enough time and weren’t prepared.

So, what can you do?

Make an emergency kit

According to the Red Cross, pet owners should build an emergency kit filled with:

  • Your pet’s food, some water and any medicine they take or might need

  • Collar with ID tag (waterproof)

  • Leash

  • Photo of you and your pet together

More things you should pack

According to the ASPCA, pet owners should also pack a sturdy bag with:

  • Comforts from home like a toy or bedding because your pet will more than likely be scared

  • Sanitation items like litter, newspapers, plastic bags to pick up waste, etc.

  • A folding pet carrier or crate with liners

Additional tips

  • The ASPCA also advises pet owners to make a list of emergency shelters, veterinarian offices and boarding facilities.

  • It is a great idea to make a list of hotel/motel options and family or friends who would be willing to let you and your pet stay.

  • If you are able, get your pet micro-chipped at the vet’s office. This form of identification is more permanent and can be read with a scanner at most animal shelters.