I’d be willing to bet that if you had an emergency where you live, you and your family would know what to do. Where to meet if you are separated, what to take with you, etc. Well, what about your dog or dogs. Do you have an emergency plan that includes them? Let’s talk about some of the things you should be aware of.
1. Pet identification is very important. Ideally, your dog should have a chip and a properly fitting dog collar with an ID tag that provides all of your current contact information. In addition to the usual identification, you must have a photo of your dog. In fact, a photo of you and the dog may be even better for identification purposes later on. Consider laminating the photo to waterproof it.
2. Medications and medical records can be very important in a disaster. Keep copies of all medical records just in case. In fact, it may even be a good idea to laminate a copy to keep them dry. If your dog is on any type of medication, make sure you have an adequate supply for several days.
3. Water and Food. Be sure to plan for at least a 3-day supply of food and water for your dogs. Of course, you’ll want to do the same with the human members of your family. Make sure the dog food is in an airtight container in case it floods.
4. Plan ahead for where you will go if the emergency requires you to leave your home or even your city. It is imperative to have a plan so you don’t have to scramble for ideas after the emergency strikes.
5. A box in this type of situation is critical. Without a crate, you may not be allowed to bring your dog into an organized shelter area. However, sometimes the local organization meets and offers accommodation for people in need during emergencies.
6. Leashes and collars are a must and, in fact, it can be a great idea to have an extra one if needed.
Emergency plans are something that should be done in advance to avoid problems when an emergency develops. Take some time to create a disaster kit that includes all of the above items that you can easily grab when you need them. The few minutes it takes to pre-plan will pay off when you really do have an emergency.