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Hurricane Irene and Pet Safety:
This pet post includes tips from a variety of sources. Please feel free to share more links and tips in the comments section.
If you are not safe to stay in your home during a hurricane, then your pet is not safe either. The best advice to pet owners in the path of a hurricane may be to evacuate early. Remember to share your evacuation plans with relatives and friends.
My dogs seem to sense when a storm comes and they will sometimes hide. Make sure you keep track of your pet as the storm approaches. Some animals even try to go outside to flee the situation.
Stay indoors if you are in the direct path of the storm. Keep your pets indoors. Even if you think the weather appears safe for walking outdoors, a wind gust may cause branches to fall, debris to fly around, etc.
If you experience a power outage use flashlights. Using candles is NOT the best choice because of the risk of fire and city fire departments may not be able to respond quickly due to the weather.
Check your pet's collar for an ID tag
It seems obvious, but if you change collars you might not remember to have the correct pet ID tags on the collars. (Also, remember to place proper identification and vaccination identification in Pet "Go Bag").
Make a Pet "Go Bag"
Place the following in a pet "go bag" and have it ready
- proper backup identification of your pet: proof of ownership, copy of vaccine records, dog license, etc.
- special medical instructions written out now, in case you have to leave your pet at an animal shelter temporarily
- photo of your pet and OWNER
- list of identifying marks or features of your pet
- 2 leashes
- extra pet collar or pet harness
- pet food items (3 to 7-day supply)
- jugs of water or water bottles (3 to 7-day supply)
- pet bowls (lightweight and portable types are best)
- pet medicine and pet first aid kit (first aid kit tips here)
- 2 pet blankets and a few favorite toys
- cat litter and cat litter box
- pet crate or a pet travelling case for your pet
- lightweight blanket or sheet to cover the pet travel case and calm down your pet if needed
- Top 10 Pet Emergency Kit Items | petMD
- If your pet is microchipped, have a copy of the microchip information
The ASPCA offers the following tips:
- Bring pets indoors at the first sign of the storm. Animals can become disoriented and wander away from home during a disaster.
- Arrange a safe haven for yourself and your pets in the event of evacuation. Do not leave pets behind.
- Store an emergency kit—with items such as pet food, bottled water, medical records, a blanket, a flashlight and leashes—as close to an exit as possible.
- Make sure all pets wear collars and tags with up-to-date identification.
- Affix a rescue alert sticker to your front door or window to let rescuers know that there are pets inside your home.
- Choose a designated caregiver to take care of your pet in the event you are unable to do so.
- For more information on how to keep yourself and your pet safe in the event of an emergency, please read our complete list of Disaster Readiness tips. Stay tuned to ASPCA.org for the latest on this developing story.
More pet safety tips from around the region:
Update via Jennifer Preston at New York Times: Pets May Ride in Taxis and Buses during Irene, nyti.ms/riWKnI• Update via Jim Roberts at New York Times: Find changes to some evacuation center locations and other updated Irene info at our severe weather site: http://on.nyc.gov/nz5vIr• Update via Hurricane Irene 2011 Animal Rescue Resource Page.
• New York City Pet Safety information via Office of Emergency Management:
For families who must leave their homes, evacuation centers and emergency shelters in New York City will be pet friendly, and people are encouraged to evacuate with their pets. Please
