With summer coming to an end, we are now approaching storm season, which can lead to flooding, hurricanes, and other disasters that can affect your home and everyone inside. Unfortunately, pets can sometimes be left behind to fend for themselves when trying to escape. It is important to remember that if something is not safe for you, then it is probably not safe for your pets, either. Leaving an animal unattended during a disaster can lead to them getting injured, trapped, falling ill, or drowning, as they have less of an ability to escape dangerous conditions than you do. This is why it is critical to have a plan in place to ensure your pet’s safety in the event that a weather disaster strikes. So, let’s take a look at some tips to prepare your pet for storm season.
Using Microchips
One of the best ways to guarantee that you can reunite with your pet in the event you get separated is with microchip identification. You will want to make sure that the microchip registration is up to date and also includes the emergency number of at least one reachable friend or relative who resides outside of your immediate area.
Plan A Pet-Friendly Place To Stay
If you find it necessary, try searching in advance for pet-friendly hotels or boarding facilities. As mentioned previously, you never want to leave your pet behind if you need to evacuate during a storm. You can even look to make a housing exchange agreement with a friend or relative who lives outside of your area.
Prepare An Emergency Kit
You should also try to stock up on essential items that you would need during a weather disaster, especially items that will be useful for your pet. Some of the items you will want to have include a week’s supply of food and fresh water, along with medication, vaccination records, photographs, a first aid kit, and temporary ID tags, to name a few.
Identify Emergency Veterinary Facilities Outside Your Area
Chances are, if a disaster has affected your immediate community, most emergency veterinary centers may be closed. Ifyour pet becomes injured or ill, you will want to know how you can access other facilities in neighboring areas. You can check with your local facility beforehand to see if they have an emergency plan in place that includes setting up in an alternate location.
These are just a few tips that should help better prepare you and your pet for storm season. It is best to stay prepared so that you are not caught off guard when the time comes. If you have any further questions, please call Cherrelyn Animal Hospital at (303) 532-1258!
