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Disaster Preparedness

by Dr. Dawn Bookmyer, DVM

Like many others in Central Ohio, I was recently awakened at 4:00 AM by thunder, lightening, sirens and an eerie voice warning residents to seek shelter. The next day one of my clients told me how difficult it had been to locate all her pets and move them into the basement. My client was very lucky; a few days later a family in southern Ohio lost all of their pets to a tornado.

What would you do if a tornado, flood or gas leak suddenly forced you out of your home? Your pets depend on you to be prepared. Here are a few tips to plan for an emergency:

Make sure your pet is wearing a collar and ID tags or has been microchipped. This will help to reunite you with your pet if you should become separated.
Many pets have a special “hiding place” – know where your pet is likely to go if they are scared!
If you don’t have one, get a cat carrier. In a pinch, you can put your cat in a pillow case.
Make a pet evacuation and first aid kit. The kit should include food and bottled water sufficient for 3 days, bowls, kitty litter and a small litter box, prescription medicines, 3x3 cotton gauze pads, bandage tape, scissors, triple antibiotic ointment, hydrogen peroxide, stretch wrap bandages, vaccination records and medical history, antihistimine, tweezers, blanket, flashlight and a spare collar and leash. Keep all items in a waterproof box. Check with your vet for other items that might be of use.
Prearrange an evacuation site for yourself, your family and your pet. Unfortunately, federal regulations prohibit pets in official evacuation shelters, so you will need to think of alternate sites. Check in advance on hotels that accept pets, as well as boarding facilities, family and friends that are located outside the affected neighborhood.
What if disaster strikes when you’re not home? First, be sure to place stickers in the windows and doors of your homes to notify emergency personnel that that you have a pet on the property. Make an information card for your pet, have it laminated and post it on your refrigerator or kitchen cabinets. The information card should indicate where your pet’s evacuation kit is, your veterinarian’s name and phone number, medical information and where your pet is likely to hide if frightened. A small photo would be a great addition to the information kit, if possible.

Finally, simulate a crisis and practice your emergency plan – and remember that in a disaster the most important thing you can do is to remain as calm as possible. With a little advance planning and a level head, both you and your pet stand a better chance of surviving a disaster!