May 8th is Animal Disaster Preparation Day. It seems like every year, more and more natural disasters are making the news. This is one area where a few ounces of prevention can be worth several pounds of cure. Taking a few minutes now for some emergency preparations could make a huge difference down the road. A Smyrna, GA vet offers a few tips on this below.
Bug-Out Bag
Have an emergency bag ready for your furry friend. This should include essentials like food, toys, treats, bedding, collapsible dishes, and medicine. Dogs will also need a leash, collar, muzzle, and tie-out line. Fluffy should have a litterbox and litter. We also recommend adding a pet first-aid kit. Store this bag in or near your pet’s travel carrier.
Paperwork
If you ever have to evacuate, you may have trouble getting your pet into a shelter or hotel if you don’t have proof of their vaccinations and registration. Make sure that your furry friends are up to date with all their required vaccines and parasite control. Keep copies of this paperwork with you. Snap pictures of this paperwork with your phone, and add it to a private album. You can also keep physical copies in your glove box.
Planning
Part of disaster preparation is, well, preparation. Make sure that your family has a plan, and that your household pets are included in that plan. You may want to have one specific person be responsible for taking care of each pet in an emergency. It will also help to have a list of all pet-friendly shelters and hotels within a few hours’ drive.
ID
Pets can get very scared in emergencies, which makes it easy for them to run off. Make sure that your four-legged friend is microchipped and wearing current ID tags. We can’t overstate the importance of this! If your beloved pet ever were to end up in a shelter, these things could be key to reuniting you!
Fire Stickers
Hurricanes and wildfires aren’t the only things to be worried about. There’s always a risk of a house fire. One thing you can do is get window stickers. Include basic information about your pets. Firefighters often try to save animals when they can.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if ever we can be of assistance. As your local Smyrna, GA veterinary clinic, we’re here to help!
