| When the earth shakes, the wind blows or the home | | | | the shelter will withstand the impending danger. If the |
| is filled with the smell of smoke, most people | | | | facility is in the path of destruction, boarding your pet |
| automatically shift into the self-preservation mode | | | | there will not remove the danger to them. You will |
| and scramble to preserve their lives and the lives of | | | | probably find that local shelters and kennels will be |
| others in the family. Those who plan ahead and | | | | closed and not accepting business anyway. |
| develop contingencies for such emergency situations | | | | Additionally, kennels in neighboring towns that are not |
| generally fare better than those who do not. | | | | in harm's way will probably run out of vacancies very |
| Professionals in the emergency disaster relief field | | | | quickly. |
| promote emergency evacuation plans for people, | | | | The best idea is to check with your local shelter or |
| because they work. | | | | chapter of the SPCA long before the need arises. |
| But what about an emergency plan for our pets? | | | | They may already have all the information you need. |
| They are family members too. Shouldn't our plans for | | | | In the absence of having such information, it is |
| emergency evacuation include them as well? | | | | suggested that you keep your pet(s) with you. |
| Thousands of trusting, devoted pets are lost each | | | | Recently there has been a awakening in the motel |
| year due to natural disasters such as hurricanes, | | | | hotel industry to the importance of pets to potential |
| floods and fires, simply because their people did not | | | | customers and more and more establishments are |
| have an emergency plan that included them. | | | | making provisions for animals. It should be relatively |
| With proper planning, many losses and much | | | | easy to find a motel that will accept your pet for |
| heartache can be avoided. Having an emergency | | | | very little additional expense. |
| evacuation plan in place that includes the family pet | | | | - Ensure that your pet's vaccines are up to date and |
| does not require a lot of effort. It is a task that is | | | | have that paperwork in a place where you can find it |
| very easy to accomplish. The following information | | | | quickly if the need to evacuate arises. If your |
| and tips are provided to help you develop such a | | | | evacuation occurs during the time the disaster is |
| plan. | | | | taking place (i.e. the beginning of a hurricane, etc.) |
| - Never leave your pet behind unless circumstances | | | | make sure your pet has a collar and that the required |
| absolutely prevent you from taking them. For | | | | tags are attached. Without meaning any disrespect, it |
| instance, if the house is crumbling beneath your feet | | | | might be a good time to treat your pet like a piece |
| during an earthquake and you can't find the cat, you | | | | of luggage by adding an information tag to the collar |
| probably should get yourself and your family to | | | | with your contact information and an alternate family |
| safety first and then, if safe, return to find the cat | | | | member's (outside the endangered zone) contact |
| later. The chances are that a cat or dog will manage | | | | information. In the event you are separated from |
| to exit the house on their own accord in such a | | | | your pet, this could be the one factor that ensures |
| situation, because they don't want to be there either. | | | | you are reunited. |
| In a situation where there is time to plan your | | | | - Some organizations give advice for situations where |
| evacuation however, such as an approaching fire-line | | | | you have no choice but to leave your pet(s) at |
| or hurricane, pets should not be left behind. Their | | | | home. Except in those where circumstances prevent |
| lives are as vulnerable to these threats as humans | | | | you from locating your pet and you must leave |
| and they need to be protected. Even if they manage | | | | immediately (i.e. flood waters rising, etc.) such advice |
| to survive, the chance of them running off and not | | | | does not resonate with this writer. As a member of |
| being found is extremely high. If they are found, it | | | | the family, they have an expectation of being |
| will probably be animal control and in the aftermath of | | | | important too. They depend upon you and you can't |
| a natural disaster, efforts for reuniting pets with their | | | | let them down. |
| people are not high on the agenda. | | | | Just a little effort today may save you a lot of |
| - Do not book your pet into a local kennel or | | | | heartache tomorrow. Take the time and draft a plan |
| temporary shelter unless local authorities determine | | | | for pet evacuation. |