The key to dog care in an emergency or disaster is plenty of prior planning. Disasters can strike any time and anywhere, sometimes with very little warning. Emergency situations are, by their very nature, stressful; it is important to have a specific plan in place to turn to in such times.
One important aspect of dog care in an emergency or disaster is having an emergency kit prepared for your dog. Just as you should have emergency supplies for the people in your family, your dog needs them as well. This will be needed whether you must evacuate your home or choose to “shelter in place.” A well-stocked dog emergency kit includes a pet first aid kit, food, water, bowls, leash, “poop bags,” your dog’s carrier, and recent pictures of your dog. Be sure the food is either fresh dry food (rotate the food in the kit every month or two, to keep it fresh), or canned food with pop tops. If you cannot find pop-top canned food, be sure you have a manual can opener in your dog’s emergency kit. Plan to keep a 3-7 day supply of food in the kit. Your dog’s kit should have at least 7 days worth of fresh bottled water (again, rotate this every few months to keep it fresh). Hopefully you will not need the recent pictures, but they could be invaluable if you and your dog become separated; you will want recent pictures to make “Lost Dog” fliers.
Dog care in an emergency or disaster needs to include a plan for evacuation. If you are forced to leave{mosimage} your home, where will you go? It is critical to remember that Red Cross emergency shelters do not allow pets. If you need to evacuate, plan ahead for your destination. If your area is prone to hurricanes, for example, decide on a destination city for your evacuation plan. Find out, in advance, any hotels or motels in that area that allow pets. Keep a list of the names, addresses, and phone numbers of these places with your dog emergency kit. It is a good idea to check with these businesses periodically to ensure they still allow pets; changes in ownership or management sometimes result in policy changes.
It is a good idea to have a neighbor you can trust to check in on your dog in the event of an emergency or disaster when you are away from home. If you are at work, is there someone who could quickly take your dog in until you arrive? This is especially critical if your dog stays outside during the day and could be in imminent danger from weather. This caregiver should have access to the dog’s emergency kit as well as your emergency contact information. Dog care in an emergency or disaster can be stressful, for you and your pet. Being prepared and having a well-formulated plan is the key to minimizing this stress. Advance planning and having a well-stocked dog emergency kit are critical to dog care in an emergency or disaster.
