Pet Emergency Plans

Have you seen billboards, signs on buses, flyers, and commercials about how important it is to make an emergency plan in case of some sort of disaster? I see at least one of these reminders every single day—and, they do their job by making me aware of how important it is to have an emergency plan.

I never thought about creating an emergency plan for my pets (or including them in my family plan) until recently when we got insurance on our home. We felt more secure with our possessions insured, but I began to think about what would happen to our cats during an emergency. The safety of my cats would be the next priority after ensuring the safety of my human family members.

How do your pets fit into your family’s emergency plan? Do you have a plan for your pets?

Some people consider their pets as part of their family, which is why it is important to have a plan in place in case of an emergency. Creating an emergency plan for your pets will save you a lot of stress during a disaster. And, it could also save the lives of your furry friends.

It only takes a bit of planning and a few steps to create a plan that will make coping with an emergency or disaster easier.

Post a Pet Alert

Rescue workers will be alerted to the presence of an animal inside your home if you place a pet alert sticker or sign in a window or on your door. You can even include your contact information, as well as your veterinarian’s information.

Red Cross disaster shelters don’t accept pets during an emergency.

Make a list of safe places that will welcome your pets on short notice. The list can include shelters, pet boarding facilities, homes of friends and family, or hotels. Try to include places that are outside of the immediate area of your home on the list.

Pet Emergency Kit

Just as you create an emergency kit for your family, put one together for your pets. The essentials of a pet emergency kit include:

• First-aid kit
• One week’s worth of food and water (at least)
• Feeding dishes
• Blankets
• Leashes, harnesses, or carriers
• Disposable bags for scooping the poop
• Photo (in case you and your pets become separated)

Learn Pet CPR

You might find yourself in a position where your pet needs some CPR or First Aid, so it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the proper techniques before an emergency situation occurs. A disaster or emergency can be very traumatic for your entire family, but preparing and planning for such situations will help you get through these kinds of events.

A good place to start learning about first aid for your pets is by reading the article: Pet First Aid. The article is written by another HubPages author named Whitney07 who is "all about animals."