Each year devastating disasters occur in our nation, which affect both humans and animals. These include earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornados, fires, hazardous blizzards, chemical spills, and terrorist attacks. Even disasters such as gas leaks and minor flooding can keep you from tending to your animals for extended periods of time. Being prepared for any type of disaster can help save the life of your pet.

Be Ready

There are a number of things you can do to prepare for an emergency of disaster. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has developed these suggestions:

• Talk to your veterinarian. Set up an appointment to talk to your veterinarian about planning for your animals during disasters.
• Assemble an animal evacuation kit and first aid kit.
• Check all pet carriers or transport cages to make sure they are in good condition, have no sharp edges, and have the following information indelibly printed on them: your name; phone number; address; a description of your pet (distinguishing marks, age, sex, spayed, neutered, etc.); the name of your pet; microchip ID or tattoo ID, if any; pet insurance policy number; and the address and phone number where you or a contact person can be reached if you are not at home.
• Have identification tags (and license and rabies tags, if appropriate) for your animals. Identification should provide your name, home address, a phone number where you can be reached, and an out-of-area phone number of someone with whom you will be in contact during or soon after the disaster/evacuation. If possible, include your veterinarian's name, location, and phone number. Some of this information could be printed in indelible ink onto tape and attached to the back of the tag.
• Assemble veterinary records. Make photocopies of important veterinary documents to store in your animals evacuation kit including vaccination records, medical history, important test results (FeLV, FIV, heartworm, Coggins, TB, other infectious diseases), medical conditions, and medications.
• Assemble proof of ownership information. Make copies of registration information, adoption papers, proofs of purchase, and microchip/tattoo or other identification information to store in the evacuation kit. List each of your animals and their species/breed, age, sex, color, and other distinguishing characteristics. Keep current photographs of your animals in the evacuation kit for identification purposes. Include yourself in some of the photos to help you reclaim your lost animals.
• Develop a disaster plan for each type of disaster that your area could be affected by, including a hazardous materials spill.
• Develop an evacuation plan for all of your animals.
• Make a list of motels in your area that will accept pets. Find out if motels with "no pet" policies will waive them in an emergency. Keep this in your animal evacuation kit.
• Check with relatives and friends not in your immediate area to determine if they will take your pets in the event of an emergency.
• Make a list of boarding facilities, veterinary clinics, animals shelters, or other establishments that would accept pets in an emergency.
• Prearrange an evacuation site(s) and emergency shelter arrangements for your family and your animals. Remember that Red Cross shelters do not allow animals.
• Keep written directions to your home near your telephone. This will help you tell emergency responders how to get to your home if you are in a state of panic and in need of rescue, or if a person unfamiliar with your area is the only person in your home during a disaster.
• Keep a list of phone numbers (including cell phone numbers) of friends or neighbors you may want to contact in the event of an emergency.
• Identify alternate sources of food and water.
• Keep all vehicles full of gas.
• Keep emergency cash on hand.