If you have a plan in place for you and your pets, you will likely encounter less difficulty, stress and worry when you need to make a decision during an emergency. If local officials ask you to evacuate, that means your pet should evacuate too. If you leave your pets behind, they may end up lost, injured or worse.
Things to include in your plan:
Determine the hazards and risks for your area and animals
Knowing what risks are likely in your area will help to develop a plan for those specific scenarios. Properties that are at a high risk for wildfires may require plans for rapid evacuation of all animals, while flood-prone properties may require plans to move livestock to higher ground while sheltering in place.
Have an evacuation plan for your animals
Many public shelters and hotels do not allow pets inside. Know a safe place where you can take your pets or livestock before disasters and emergencies happen. Check with your local animal shelter, boarding facility, or veterinary clinic to see if they know of options.
Locate and prearrange evacuation sites. Determine routes of travel to these locations and have alternate routes or locations planned as well. Make arrangements for trucks, trailers, or other transport vehicles for livestock.
Develop a buddy system
Plan with neighbors, friends, or relatives to make sure someone is avaialble to care for or evacuate your pets and livestock if you are unable to do so. If you must leave animals behind during a disaster or emergency, leave a notice on your front door or gate with the location and type of animals inside, their names or identification, and your contact phone number.
Have identification for all animals
Have your pet microchipped and make sure to keep your address and phone number up-to-date and include contact information for an emergency contact outside of your immediate area. Make sure livestock have some form of permanent identification such as ear tags or tattoos, and keep acurrent list of all of your animals and their permanent identification.
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