Having an Evacuation Plan with Your Dog

Natural emergencies can come seemingly out of the blue. Whether the area you live in is prone to hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, or earthquakes, it’s important to be as prepared as you can. Developing an evaluation plan for you and your furry friend is crucial for getting ahead of any future emergencies. Evacuating can be extremely stressful and scary, so being prepared will help ease up some anxiety for you and your dog. The last thing you want to happen is to have to leave your pooch behind, so read on about how to protect both of you from emergencies!

Know Your Rights

Thanks to the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (or the Pets Act), you have the legal right to include your pets in emergency evacuations. The act requires FEMA seeking states to accept service animals and regular pets in disaster evacuations.

Create Your Emergency Plan

Over 30 states have laws protecting animals in evacuations, but you should create your own plan for your household. Get any supplies your local ordinance suggests and be prepared to follow their instructions on where to go for safety. It’s important to be prepared if you need to leave your house ASAP. It’s also essential to note that staying calm during a crisis will ease the process as your pooch can pick up on your emotions.

You may not always be home when there is a disaster, so be sure to have a backup plan for someone who will be able to retrieve your dog quickly. You never want them to have to fend for themselves in a disaster. You can also buy a resue sticker to put someone on your house to indicate you have pets that may need assistance if you can’t get to them and need them rescued by officials.

Prepare Your Pup

Your dog should be just as ready as you are. They should be up-to-date on vaccinations, especially during natural disaster seasons. Your dog should also be microchipped, or have an adequate identifying collar. Finally, gather all your dog’s paperwork (copies) into a file and have it in your evaluation plan to grab. You’ll need proof of vaccinations and medical information if you plan on staying at a shelter with your dog.

Be sure to have your dog’s travel gear in a spot you’ll be able to quickly remember and grab. This should include a leash, harness/seat belt, and a carrier with ID information on it.

To-Go Bag For Your Dog

Your dog’s emergency kit should include everything they might need that will fulfill their basic needs. Some items may include:

• Bottled drinking water
• Collapsable bowls
• Food in waterproof containers
• Prescription medications
• First aid kit

Where To Go

During an emergency, you may have to evacuate more than once. A lot of shelters will only accept service animals for health concerns, but you can search for dog-friendly shelters on the FEMA app. You can also look for pet-friendly hotels or kennels for your dog to stay in temporarily.