A disaster can strike at any time so it is best to be prepared. By being adequately prepared you will be able to save your life as well as the lives of your pets. Here is a great checklist to use in preparing for a disaster:

Helpful Tips:

·         Place an ‘Animals Inside’ sticker on the front window or door of your house or apartment. In case you are not home or if there is a fire, your pet’s chances of survival may increase if the firemen and other people know that you have pets inside.

·         Make sure that you keep your pets’ carriers and leashes in a very easily accessible location. You do not want to have to search your house looking for these items if you have to leave in a hurry.

Become Friends with your Neighbors:

1.  Give a spare key to your house or apartment to a neighbor that you trust and get their spare key as well. This way, should something happen to your house or to you, your neighbor will be able to reach your pets quickly.

2. Make a plan and discuss what to do in case of an emergency with your family and neighbors. Give your cell phone number, work number, and the phone numbers of your immediate family to your neighbor on an index card written in bold, large print, and laminated.

3. Give your neighbor the following information regarding your pets:

a. The Number of Pets You Have.

b. What Type of Animals You Have.

c. Location of Pets In Your Home.

d. Your Pets’ names and how they can be called, e.g. by whistling.

Taking a Vacation

Before taking a vacation, make sure that the person who will be taking care of your pets is someone you trust. If you are using a pet sitting service, make sure that you check out their references before you leave. Also make sure that the sitter understands what to do if a crisis arises and always leave contact numbers where you can be reached during your vacation.

Points to consider:

1. If a problem occurs, will your sitter take your pets until you return? If not, give them the name and telephone number of a friend, family member, or kennel where they can contact to take your pets.

2. If an evacuation occurs, will your sitter take your pets?

3. In case of evacuation, give your sitter the telephone number of a family member or friend outside the affected area who can act as a contact. If you and your sitter cannot reach each other, you can each call the contact who can help relay information.

Your Pet’s Identification

Make sure that all of your pets have proper identification that includes your last name, telephone number, address and your pet’s name on the ID tag.

Contact Numbers to keep in your address book:

1. Pet Friendly Shelters: Many shelters may not accept pets in need of a temporary shelter, but some do, so find out which ones in your are do, before you need to go to one.

2. Pet Friendly Hotels: Keep the phone number and address of a chain of hotels that accept pets. This way you will have a place to go with your animals no matter what city you find yourself in.

3. Animal Rescue Shelters: Keep the phone number of your local animal shelter in your address book. They will be able to help you locate your pets’ should you become separated.

What to do if you have to evacuate:

1. Leave quickly and take your pets with you! Don’t leave your pets behind thinking you can return back later and retrieve them. In most situations, you will not be permitted to return until the reason for the evacuation is over.

2. If you are driving, load up the animals and hit the road. If you can’t take your pets where you are going, use your back up family member or friend first. Then call your pet friendly lodging or rescue shelter options.

3. If there is no way that you can take your pets with you to a safe place, and you have no choice but to evacuate, make sure that you give your pets the best chances to stay alive, for example, unchain your dog. Pets that are left alone will rely on their natural instincts in order to survive.