DISASTER PREPAREDNESS TIPS FOR PET OWNERS
compiled for the
Canine Athlete & Family Dog Symposium
The key to keeping your family safe during a disaster is to have a disaster plan in place long before disaster strikes. Don’t forget to include your pets in this plan. In Alaska, typical natural disasters might include earthquake, wildfire, avalanche, volcano eruption, wind storm, or blizzard. Other disasters can include broken gas mains, explosions, long-term power or water loss, chemical spills and others. Below are some tips for developing your plan to be prepared for any situation.
Always keep a collar and tag on those animals that should normally wear collars. Make sure identification tags are up to date and securely fastened. If possible, attach the address and/or phone number of your evacuation site. If your pet gets lost, his tag is his ticket home. Consider “chipping” your pet as well. It is a simple procedure. A chip cannot be lost and guarantees identification by a vet or other technician with a scanner.
Make sure you have a current photo or several photos of your pet for identification purposes and take them with you if you evacuate. Consider putting together a pre-made “lost dog” flyer with a photo and description in case your pet gets lost. It will save time later and speed the process of finding your pet. Be sure to print out several beforehand in case the electricity is our and you cannot access your computer. Store them in a resealable plastic bag or sleeve in case you have to post them in the rain.
If you evacuate your home, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND! Pets most likely cannot survive on their own; and if by some remote chance they do, you may not be able to find them when you return.
Do not wait until the last minute to evacuate if you have animals. Once the disaster in imminent, if the only way out is by official rescue transport, emergency officials may not allow you to take your pets when they bring you out.
For public health reasons, many emergency shelters cannot accept pets. Find out which motels and hotels in your area allow pets -- well in advance of needing them. Include your local animal shelter's number in your list of emergency numbers -- they might be able to provide information concerning pets during a disaster.
Start a buddy system with someone in your neighborhood so that they will check on your animal during a disaster in case you aren't home. If you live in Eagle River or the Valley and work in Anchorage or vice versa, this is especially important as there is only one route home and it may be blocked.
Store at least a one week supply of dry animal food and water. Also store bowls. Be sure that food and water is stored in air/water tight, non-breakable containers and in sizes that you can easily transport.
Talk to your veterinarian to see if he/she has a disaster plan. Your animal may need medical attention after a disaster has struck and you need to know where to take your animal. If your regular veterinarian does not have a plan, locate a veterinarian in your community who does.
Keep a backup supply of your long-term animal medications.
Be sure all your pets’ shots are current. Most kennels require proof of current rabies and distemper vaccinations before accepting a pet.
Have a harness, stake out chain, and a leash for all the dogs in your household. Make sure you have a secure pet carrier, leash or harness for your pet so that if he panics, he can't escape. Have assembled and ready to go a carrier to evacuate each dog, cat, bird, reptile, or hamster in your household.
Pack a "pet survival" kit that can be easily deployed if disaster hits. Take pet food, bottled water, medications, veterinary records, cat litter/pan, can opener, food dishes, leashes/harnesses, first aid kit and other supplies with you in case they're not available later. See attached list of supplies to include in a pet survival kit and a first aid kit.
Keep dogs and cats separate, even if they are good together otherwise. The anxiety of an emergency situation can cause pets to act erratically.
If your dog is kept in an outdoor run, make sure it's in a location where debris (tree limbs, shingles, power lines, chimney bricks etc.) won't fall on the run and possibly injure the dog.
Know where the animal shelters or animal rescue organizations are in your area. It is important to start looking for a missing animal as soon as you realize it is gone.
If you are unable to return to your home right away, you may need to board your pet. Most boarding kennels, veterinarians and animal shelters will need your pet's medical records to make sure all vaccinations are current. Include copies in your "pet survival" kit along with a photo of your pet.
If it is impossible to take your pet with you to temporary shelter, contact friends, family, veterinarians, or boarding kennels to arrange for care. Make sure medical and feeding information, food, medicine and other supplies accompany your pet to his foster home. NOTE: Some animal shelters will provide temporary foster care for owned pets in times of disaster, but this should be considered only as a last resort.
If you have no alternative but to leave your pet at home, there are some precautions you must take, but remember that leaving your pet at home alone can place your animal in great danger. Confine your pet to a safe area inside -- NEVER leave your pet chained outside. Identify a safe location inside your home for your pet beforehand.
Place a notice outside in a visible area advising what pets are in the house and where they are located. Provide a phone number where you or a contact can be reached as well as the name and number of your vet.
Be sure and comfort your animals during a disaster. They are frightened too, and having you near to give them a hug will help.
Big Dog Lot Tips
If evacuating in spring/summer/fall and a dog truck is not available, consider hooking up the team by gangline to a 4-wheeler or other vehicle and slowly driving the team to safety. Only do this as a last resort, use extreme caution if using this method and stay off major roads.
Bring plenty of drop lines in case you need to secure teams in remote areas.
Be sure to tie out teams in sheltered areas and always provide supervision. The dogs may feel the panic of the situation and react badly.
Consider bringing a portable cook stove and fuel for heating water for food.
Ask for assistance from other mushers who may not be in a danger area to help load dogs into their trucks to transport them to safety.
Mushing clubs may be able to assist by staging and caring for teams at mushing trails or in larger yards.
Here are contacts for some local clubs:
Alaska Sled Dog & Racing Association, Anchorage
Aurora Dog Mushers Club, Wasilla
Chugiak Dog Mushers Association, Chugiak
Montana Creek Dog Mushers Association, Montana Creek
www.mcdma.org
Pet Survival Kit
Pet carriers
Pet food
Water
Manual can opener
Bowls (food and water)
Plastic bags/buckets for pet waste
Medications
Vet records
First aid kit
Leashes, drop lines, and other tie-out supplies
Familiar bedding and toys for comfort
Cat litter
Flashlight and batteries
Radio
Pet First Aid Kit
Sterile gauze pads and bandages
Adhesive tape
Triangular bandage
Ace bandage (stretchy wrap)
Rectal thermometer
Scissors (blunt nose)
Tweezers
Needle-nose pliers
Eye dropper
Syringe
Alcohol wipes
Hydrogen peroxide
Antibiotic ointment (triple)
Oral antibiotic
Benadryl (or equivalent)
Eye ointment
Foot ointment
Sterile saline solution
Cotton swabs
Activated charcoal
Kaopectate
Baby aspirin, nonbuffered
Latex or nitrile gloves
Petroleum jelly
Penlight with fresh batteries
Large towel or blanket
Shampoo and antibacterial soap
Muzzle
Nail clipper
Splints (paint stir sticks work well)
Plastic bags for cleanup
First aid/emergency medical guide
Resources
Anchorage Animal Care and Control Center
Alaska Chapter of the American Red Cross
Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Noah’s Wish
