Preparing Your Dog for The Worst

With much of the country underwater due to heavy flooding following lots of snow and rain, it seems appropriate to talk about being prepared to care for your dog in the event of a disaster.

Make sure your dog has a first aid kit too.

Sheltering in Place

In some disaster situations, such as when the power is out for an extended period of time due to an ice storm, you may choose to shelter in your home rather than evacuating to a shelter.   The American Red Cross recommends that each family member have enough food, water, medication, and money to survive for at least three days to allow enough time for first responders to get to them.

For your dog, this means you’ll need at least three days’ worth of medications, food, and potable water, as well as a collar with ID tags, a leash, and food/water bowls.  If you use canned food, don’t forget the manual can opener!  You can’t count on having power to operate the electric opener or to charge the batteries in a portable opener.

The Red Cross also offers Pet First Aid Classes that will teach you how to treat the minor injuries your pet might incur during a disaster.  If your local chapter doesn’t offer a class, you can buy the book online.

It is critical for your dog to have an ID tag in an emergency.

I can’t overstate the importance of the ID tags.  It is fairly common for families, including their pets, to get separated in the confusion following a large disaster.  While your kids and your spouse may be able to go online to search for you, your dog will likely be left scavenging in the streets or howling at the shelter if he or she is not wearing tags.  If your dog’s regular ID tags include your home phone number and address, you may need to purchase or make a temporary tag if you are unable to return to your home right away.

Micro-chipping provides a more permanent means of identification, but it only works if someone thinks to scan the dog.  Visible ID tags are a much more reliable solution, because they allow the average citizen to re-unite you with your dog.

Another good idea is to keep on your person a photo of your dog so you can make flyers, as well as a picture of you with your dog(s) so you can claim them without any hassle.

Before an evacuation is necessary, make plans to bring your dog with you.  Although many shelters will not accept pets unless they are assistance animals, there are often organizations that set up pet shelters right next door to the people shelters.  You might also spend a few minutes now (before you are in a disaster situation) to line up a place to board your pet in the event of a disaster.

For example, if you live in coastal Louisiana, you know that you will have to evacuate a couple of times a year for hurricanes.  You also know that you will most likely be heading north, so take the time to find out which hotels allow pets and what their pet-related rules are.  Make a list of pet-friendly places and keep it with your emergency supplies so you can simply “grab and go”.

Have a crate ready to transport your dog if you evacuate.

Other helpful things to include in your disaster kit are blankets, toys, a dog crate (which can be used to store the supplies until a disaster strikes), and a first aid kit designed for your dog.  The First Aid Store offers a wide variety of safety  and first aid equipment specifically designed for dogs and other pets.

Pet-Friendly Travel offers a list of emergency evacuation shelters that allow pets, organized by state.

Home Emergencies

The primary home emergency situation is a fire.  Although you should always evacuate the humans first, and should never go back inside a burning building, there are some preparations you can make to assure your dog lives through a house fire.

Plan at least two escape routes from every room in your house.  This assures that if one exit is blocked by the fire, you have at least one other option.

Obedience training could just be the thing that saves your dog’s life.  It’s easy to become disoriented in a fire, and if your dog panics, he or she may not follow you along your escape path.  You owe it to your dog to make sure he or she comes every time you call, and stays with you even when not on a leash.

If you can’t get your dog out of the house, make sure first responders know you have a dog by putting up a sticker in your window.  The ASPCA offers a free sticker that can be ordered online.  The Free Pet Safety Pack also includes an Animal Poison Control Center Magnet for your refrigerator.