| 2) During a Disaster | | | | Call your prearranged evacuation site to confirm |
| -Make sure all your pets are inside immediately: Some | | | | availability of space. Make your way to your |
| animals can foresee severe weather changes, and | | | | evacuation site. This might be a friend or relative, a |
| may be spooked by an approaching storm, causing | | | | pet-friendly hotel, a veterinary hospital, a boarding |
| them to run away. The earlier you get them inside, the | | | | kennels or an animal shelter. In case your evacuation |
| less likely this is to happen. | | | | site does not have the space or facilities to board your |
| -Separate dogs and cats: though your dog and cat | | | | pet, have a collapsible cage or carrier with living space |
| may be best friends, the anxiety caused by a disaster | | | | beyond the requirements for short distance |
| can cause them to act completely out of character. | | | | transportation, including proper bedding. |
| Animals that normally get along may show fear related | | | | -If you must leave your pets at home alone: some |
| aggression to one another. | | | | useful suggestions. |
| -If you must leave your home: Take your pet with you. | | | | 1. Make sure they are all clearly identified with your |
| Often people have been told to leave their homes for | | | | contact details |
| a short time, only to be unable to return for days or | | | | 2. Make sure they have access to the bathroom. |
| weeks. Even a gas leak or minor flooding could leave | | | | Leave the toilet seat up, so they have a refilling supply |
| your pet stranded for a considerable length of time. If | | | | of water |
| you have to leave town you must take your pet with | | | | 3. Leave out plenty of dry food, which will not go off |
| you or make appropriate arrangements for his/her | | | | quickly like wet food will |
| care. Your pet is unlikely to survive on their own. | | | | 4. Close curtains or blinds if severe adverse weather |
| Make sure each pet has a secure collar and leash | | | | expected, to minimise stress |
| harness. Take your Pet Survival Kit and Pet First Aid | | | | 5. Make sure there are high counters or areas where |
| Kit (see above) along with your pet, in his/her secure | | | | animals can climb to safety in case of flooding |
| and clearly labelled carrier. Ideally this carrier should be | | | | 6. Do not leave a dog with a chain link or choke collar |
| airline approved. For housing purposes cat carriers | | | | on as it could become tangled up and trapped |
| should be large enough to hold a small litter tray and | | | | 7. Separate your dog and cat into separate areas if |
| two small dishes and still allow your cat enough room | | | | possible (see earlier) |
| to lie down comfortably or stand to use the litter tray. | | | | 8. Put a note securely on your front door when you |
| Dog kennels or collapsible cages should be large | | | | leave indicating your pets name, what they are and |
| enough to hold two non-spill bowls and still allow | | | | where they are. |
| enough room for your dog to stand and turn around. | | | | |