Caring for animals
Preparing your pets for an emergency
Planning for emergencies involves everyone in the family – including pets. Most shelters do not allow animals. So prepare in advance a list of shelters, friends or family members who can care for your pet during a possible emergency. If you plan to place your pet in a shelter, make sure that the place can actually provide long-term care and that it has a proper emergency plan itself. If it becomes necessary for your family to relocate, including the shelter, and it is not possible to take the animal with you, confine the animal to one room in the house, ensuring that the animal has sufficient food and water during the time you are not in contact with it.
Prepare a common aid kit for your pets to take with you when you leave home in a hurry. Recommended kit contents:
- your pet’s papers (preferably with photograph), vaccination booklet, registration, list of special needs, necessary medications, collar, muzzle and leash,
- extra food supplies for the animal,
- a supply of clean water,
- bowls (disposable dishes when you have to leave your home), a can opener, rubbish bags, bleach (disinfectant), blankets, towels, paper towels and other items to be disposed of immediately after use.
