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