Planning for Your Pets in Times of Emergency

When a disaster strikes, animals can become isolated and untended for weeks, unless they are evacuated or placed in a secure facility. Many disasters leave behind substantial debris, contaminated food or water supplies, downed fences and powerlines, and damaged structures. Abandoned animals face significant hazards after the event.

What would you do if a hurricane, tornado, or wildfire swept through your town? What would you do with your animals - your beloved dog, your prized horse, that cat you love to hate - the furry friends who live with you in your house, who are not just pets, but members of your family?

Your local emergency management agency has arranged for emergency shelters for people if their homes are destroyed. However, emergency shelters are not required to let you bring your animal with you, except for trained service animals such as seeing-eye dogs and monkey-helpers. So, what do you do?

You need to prepare in advance for what you would do with your pet or other animals if an emergency situation arises to tend to the health and welfare of your animal. If left without food or water for an extended time, your animal could become vicious - and killed by the very people who arrive in an attempt to rescue them in self-defense. It is your responsibility to plan for what to do with your pet in times of emergency.

Animals left untended in a flood or when the walls or windows are broken out could escape. They will likely become exposed to contaminated water and wild animals, leading to a potentially costly decontamination, or monitoring to assure they have not contracted a disease like rabies.

What many people may not know is that their local emergency management agency has the authority, and should have the resources, for helping their animals get through the disaster.