Emergency Preparedness: Pets

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An important part of your family may be your pets – so please remember them in your family’s emergency plan. Pets will likely exhibit signs of significant stress during an event – take care of their emotional needs in addition to their physical needs.

Make a Plan

If you have a plan in place for you and your pets, an emergency situation will be less stressful. If officials ask you to evacuate your home, that means you should take your pets with you. If you leave them behind, they might become lost or injured.

  • Know a safe place where you can take your pet. Many public shelters and hotels do not allow pets inside.
  • Work with your friends or neighbors to care for your pets in case you’re unable to do so.
  • Be sure to have your pet microchipped and keep the associated contact information up to date.
  • Check with your local animal shelter or animal control agency for more advice.

Build a Kit for your Pet

Like your family’s emergency supplies, plan for your pets’ needs for survival including food and water. Perhaps have one larger kit to use at home and a smaller kit to use if you must evacuate. Check your kits every six months to make sure that perishable contents like food or medicine are still usable.

Items to include:

  • Food – two week supply plus some treats
  • Water – plus a water bowl
  • Medicine
  • Collar, harness, and leash
  • Travel bag or crate
  • Pet sanitation needs – roll of waste bags
  • Familiar items for your pet like a favorite toy or bedding.

Stay Informed

During an emergency, it’s vital for you to stay informed about current conditions.

  • Monitor wireless emergency alerts on your smartphone
  • Observe guidance from local officials about evacuation.
  • Bring pets indoors at the first sign of a major storm or disaster.

FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) has further information for you on this topic at ready.gov/pets.

Month 8 Preparedness List

Items to Purchase

  • Additional supply of pet medicine
  • Extra collar and leash

Things To Do

  • Collect pet blanket/bed in your emergency kit
  • Put all pet-related items into your emergency kit.

Tigard CERT Inc. is a local non-profit organization allied with the City of Tigard that trains volunteers in basic emergency response and organizational skills following the Federal Emergency Management Agency model and guidelines for local Community Emergency Response Teams. Members complete a 27-hour, FEMA curriculum before becoming certified.

Tigard CERT volunteers provide support during emergencies when our community’s professional emergency services teams may be overwhelmed by the situation. Tigard CERT also provides staff and support for community events such as the Tigard Balloon Festival, the City of Tigard Public Works Day, the Community Preparedness Fair, and other events. For more information about Tigard CERT, please visit our website at tigardcert.wordpress.com.

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