Do you have a pet emergency plan? If the answer is no, ask yourself what action you need to take to ensure the health of your pet if an emergency should arise.

Okay, so no one likes to think about bad things happening. But the reality is things don’t always go to plan. Bush fires happen. Floods occur. There are earthquakes and alien attacks (yes, I made that last one up!). The point is, as a responsible pet owner, you need to have a plan in place that safeguards the wellbeing of your fur baby in the event of an emergency or disaster.

The good news is if you don’t already have a pet emergency plan, now is the ideal time to create one. Why? Because September just so happens to be National Disaster Preparedness Month!

Protecting our pets

Close to 6 million Aussie households own at least one pet. That’s a lot of animals. So if disaster should strike we need to be prepared to protect our pets from harm.

Sadly, when it comes to emergency plans, we can often forget to factor in our pets. Furthermore, it’s not just our pet’s physical body; we need to remember pet care essentials like food, water and medications (if necessary). This is where a pet emergency plan comes into play.

Having a pet emergency plan in place makes sure you are prepared for unpredictable events and that nothing important gets forgotten. It can also help reduce stress.

What to consider

When creating a pet emergency plan you don’t know what disaster you’re going to be facing. The key is to plan for the worst and you should fair okay.

As such, consider what would happen if you needed to evacuate your home. Draw up a list of the items you would need to take for you and your family, as well as what essentials to pack for your cat or dog.

A pet emergency plan should include the following:

  • A list of places or locations you and your pet can seek refuge. This might be a friend, relative or pet-friendly shelter
  • The contact number for your vet
  • A list of medicines your pet is taking

dog in back pack, pet emergency plan

You should also draw up a list of items you will need to pack for your pet. Here are a few things to include:

  • Food and water, plus bowl
  • Collar and lead
  • Pet cage, carrier or restraint
  • Bedding and blankets
  • Favourite toy / treats
  • Any medicines your pet might be taking (including preventative ones)
  • Pet ID
  • Print out of your pet’s medical history and proof of vaccinations
  • Photo of your pet, in case you become separated
  • Pet first aid kit

Avoiding disaster

It’s easy to think we’ll never have to deal with a serious emergency or disaster, but it’s better to prepare than to be caught off guard. Indeed, in some instances, adequate planning can help you avoid a disaster. Here are a few ways to help you stay safe.

  • Ensure your home has smoke alarms and other fire safety equipment
  • Think about where your pets are stationed in the home and how they might safely get out in the event of an emergency
  • Consider taking out pet insurance in case your pet is accidentally injured
  • Pack a pet emergency kit, including a first aid kit, ready to go
  • Keep pet leads, car restraints and pet carriers in a safe, easy-to-grab place
  • Keep up to date with any bush fires or flooding in your area and never hold off leaving your home. It’s safer to get out early.

Having an adequate plan (which includes your furry friend) in place and packing a few essential items for you, your family and your pet don’t take much effort. However, it’s likely you’ll be grateful for the advance preparation if an emergency does happen.

Do you have a pet emergency plan in place?

 

 

Related posts:

Get your pet fire plan ready now

Keeping pets safe during winter storms

 

 

Image source: Unsplash.com