Top 3 Emergency Preparedness Tips for your Pets

6/8/2017

Are your pets disaster-ready?
June is National Pet Preparedness Month, and as advocates for your pets' health and safety, we're sharing important resources and helpful tips to make sure you and your furry family are ready for just about anything!

Link: Get a free pet rescue window decal from the ASPCA here to alert first responders about how many pets are in your home.

Tip #1: Identification, Identification, Identification!
Proper ID - for ALL pets - is the absolute most important thing you can do to increase the odds of reuniting with your animal in the wake of disaster. We all learned a valuable lesson after Hurricane Katrina, when only 15-20% of the tens of thousands of lost pets were able to join their families again.

There aren't hurricanes in Pittsburgh (thank goodness), but we do have our share of floods, tornadoes, fires and the possibility of attack in an unstable world.

We strongly recommend microchipping for dogs and cats (even indoor ones), because while a collar can fall off or be removed, the RFID chip will remain in place for the life of your pet. This simple procedure can be done at any appointment, with minimal pain - it's similar to a vaccine injection, just with a larger needle to accommodate the size of the chip. [Request an appointment online now]

Consider a microchip an extra layer of protection, not a replacement for ID tags.

BoomerangTags.com offers free shipping, no sales tax, and a lifetime guarantee for its CollarTags - they're excellent options for break-away cat collars, too!

Collar tags should include:

Your pet's name
Your street address
At least one cell phone number (if he's lost, you're likely out looking for him!)
"Needs medication" if applicable

Remember to keep your pet's tags and microchip database up-to-date with current contact information!

Tip #2: Prepare a "Go Bag"
(It's a good idea to have one of these for your family, too)
This is a grab-and-go pack of essentials for your pet in case you need to evacuate on short notice.

A well-stocked "Go Bag" includes:

3-7 days of food for each pet (rotate every 2 months)
7-day supply of bottled water (rotate every 2 months)
A small supply of daily medications (rotate every 2 months)
Extra leash + extra collar/harness
Food & water bowls
[cats] Foil roasting pan as a disposable litterbox
[cats] Gallon Ziploc bag of litter
[cats] One pillowcase per cat - these can be used as emergency cat carriers, if needed. (Don't worry - they can breathe and actually often feel comforted by the visual barrier from unfamiliar sights.)
Recent photos of your pet, in case you become separated
Photocopies of vaccine records for each pet

Tip #3: Have emergency contact information ready before you need it
If they're not already, program important veterinary phone numbers into your cell phone:

Allegheny North Veterinary Hospital: 412-364-5511
Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center (PVSEC): 412-366-3400
University Veterinary Specialists: 724-727-2273
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: 888-426-4435
Your local fire/police department non-emergency numbers

You might consider having an alternate caregiver on standby in case something would happen that prevents you from accessing your home. Talk to trusted neighbors and create a plan together to provide care for one another's pets in case of emergency.

Helpful Resources

Downloads:

ASPCA Mobile App (iOS/Android)

On-the-go information about how to manage emergencies with your pet - no signal/WiFi required

American Red Cross Pet First Aid App

Advice for stabilizing your pet in an emergency, how to administer medication and respond to stress-related behavior.

Animal Poison Control App

Quick access to common toxins to aid in assessing severity of risk, identification, and one-click calling to the 24/7/365 pet poison control line.

Links:

Ready.gov: Pet & Animal Emergency Planning

Preparing emergency supplies, shelter, & more. Includes information for large animal preparedness.

American Red Cross: Pet Disaster Preparedness & Recovery

Useful info, from preparing your emergency kit to helping your pets safely adjust after an incident.

BringFido.com

Although intended for traveling and entertainment with your dog, this website can serve as a helpful search tool if you must evacuate and find lodging with your pets.

Tornadoes: Keeping pets safe

Tips include having family members practice moving pets into a designated "safe zone" - evacuation drills are important for your pets, too!

77 Comments

Sariah Meagle link

10/9/2018 12:05:51 am

My dad has a dog and wanted to make sure that it will grow well. It was explained here that it will be best to have emergency numbers on hand. Moreover, it's recommended to go to a veterinarian specialist for quality pet care.

Gillian Babcock link

1/10/2019 06:45:59 pm

My sister's pet is not feeling and was not eating for a day now. It was suggested here that it will be best to prepare a go-bag in case of an emergency that has three to seven days of food for the pet. Furthermore, it's recommended to go to a trusted vet hospital for quality pet care.

1/17/2019 01:05:01 am

There was a storm last weekend my parents' pets are a bit sickly after that. It was explained here that in case of emergencies the pets should have identification and have a prepare go bag. Moreover, it's recommended to go to trusted pet hospitals for quality pet care.

2/25/2019 07:15:43 pm

My sister is worried about her pet cat and she wants to make sure that it will be properly identified. It was explained here that her pet should be properly ID'd and have an emergency number placed. Furthermore, it's recommended to go to a trusted veterinarian for quality pet care.

Camille Devaux link

2/27/2019 08:11:38 pm

Having a go-bag is a big important part of making sure that you are ready to keep your pet. Making sure that you are getting medication is a big deal. I am sure that my sister might like knowing this as she looks to find an animal hospital.

Nolan link

4/16/2019 12:29:21 am

Great advice with the collar tags!

5/15/2019 01:03:31 am

My sister is looking for a veterinary clinic because her cat is not feeling well for a while now. It was explained here that it's important to have emergency numbers ready before needing it for a pet emergency. Moreover, it's recommended to consult experts when looking for veterinarian clinics.

Johnny McCarron link

6/19/2019 10:07:58 pm

I love your idea of microchipping my pet. If I ever lose a pet, having a microchip would definitely ease my conscience. And when I get my pet back, I'd definitely want to take her into a vet just to make sure she's okay.

Randy Chorvack link

7/12/2019 11:47:19 am

I think that emergency preparedness for pets is so important. Having enough food and water for my animals is just as important as having enough for me! I have a cat and a dog who are both my babies. Thank you for this list, now I will be able to make sure my pets are as prepared for disaster as I am.

Ron Booker link

10/8/2019 11:43:54 am

I like that you suggested using the microchipping in your pet to help you know where he is in case you lose him out of sight. Personally, I have been dealing with my wife on taking our dog for some type of tracking collar to avoid losing the dog. I'm going to take your advice and ask a professional about microchipping technology.

Gary Hamburg link

11/12/2019 05:54:56 am

I appreciate the suggestions given in this blog...
Every pet owner should be aware of such awareness as it is essential to deal with an emergency and to survive a disaster.
Storage of food and water plays a detrimental role to survive an emergency.
Do some research on the internet to learn more in this regard.

emma jones link

11/15/2019 09:49:45 am

Thanks for the Tip #2, i was in search of such information, these are very useful tips for pet parents. i will follow it :)

Tori Raddison link

11/18/2019 09:59:19 am

I love the idea of using a foil roasting pan as a litterbox in emergencies so you can throw it out when you're done using it. Besides it being disposable, it's also pretty cheap. I'll make sure to get one of those and put it in my emergency storage.

Dr Dipesh Bhalani link

3/6/2020 08:45:20 am

Being a vet myself, completely agree with this tips.

Dr Dipesh Bhalani Ghoda (vet) Doctor, Rajkot
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Charlotte Fleet link

4/15/2020 11:58:36 pm

I like that you explain that you should have your veterinary phone numbers in your phone before you need them in an emergency. My husband has been worried about our dog getting the proper care in time of emergency. I think we should find an emergency vet that we can count on when the time comes.

Ejeta kelvin link

4/28/2020 12:44:34 pm

my family has always pets especially dogs. our dogs has really helped us in our neighborhood especially when only a few amount of people lived in my streets and the crime activities was high.pets can be so many serve as so many things to you, things like a friend, security, helper and more. our pet even saved my brothers life once. there is no telling what your pet would do for you. This content is no doubt very engaging. I am going to bookmark your blog and keep checking it weekly to read more contents like this. Open this link to reach my website and check out its contents. Please let me know if this okay with you. Many Thanks

Sabrina Addams link

4/29/2020 11:59:24 am

I thought it was great that you recommended having 3-7 days of food supply for your pet, as well as 7 days of water in case of an emergency. My husband and I just adopted a sweet, 3-year-old puppy named Monty. We want him to stay healthy, so I'll do this and try to find a vet near me for the future.

Derek McDoogle link

5/5/2020 09:51:48 am

My brother told me that now that he is living alone, he would like to have a pet. I like how you recommend micro-chipping your dog in case it gets lost. I will definitely tell my brother to choose a smart dog breed so that he won't have any issues when he trains the dog.

Mike Sanders link

6/2/2020 12:06:57 pm

I like what you said about having a "go bag" of supplies ready for your pet. My sister has been telling me about how her dog has been vomiting recently, and she wants to make sure that he's okay. I'll share this information with her so that she can look into her options for taking him to the vet.

Kristofer Van Wagner link

6/16/2020 01:30:33 am

Thank you for highlighting the importance of identification when we own a dog. My kids are planning to adopt a labradoodle puppy. When we go to the pound, I will strongly encourage to have a proper identification and paperwork drawn to ensure its safety.

Sanidhya Aggrawal link

6/28/2020 10:43:29 am

I love the idea of using a foil roasting pan as a litterbox in emergencies so you can throw it out when you're done using it.

Dusan link

8/6/2020 07:34:31 am

Thank you for this very useful article. I agree with all!

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8/22/2020 02:30:46 am

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10/20/2020 01:52:03 am

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10/27/2020 06:49:19 am

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11/19/2020 12:36:07 am

Thank you for sharing information. Pet health is important for its owner. We should give him <a href= "https://www.everythingtail.com/pet-food/"> fresh pet food </a> only for proper nutrition.

Aliah Willson link

11/22/2020 04:56:01 am

Great deals of important information and also a great article. I am currently following your blog site and I am bookmarking it for future reference. Many thanks for sharing!

John Mead link

12/16/2020 12:27:21 am

Its really good to read this informative and helpful blog. The most impressive and unique tip for me is "Go Bag". Thanks! for sharing your reviews with us.

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kate hansen link

1/13/2021 04:06:25 pm

It was really helpful when you said to have a go-bag that is well stocked. My sister is planning on getting a cat for her family in a couple of weeks, and she wants to make sure that she knows how to keep it safe in all situations. I'll make sure to pass these trips along to her once she finds a kitten to get for her family!

1/21/2021 10:40:00 pm

You make an excellent point that it is important for us to choose a qualified animal hospital for our pets. My wife and I would like to have our dogs checked. I will look into reliable hospital for our pets.

Eli Richardson link

1/28/2021 10:54:35 am

It really helped when you said it's important to be prepared for your pet's care in case of an emergency. I just adopted a puppy, and with work, I haven't taken him to the vet. I think it's important to take him to get the vaccines he might need. After reading your article, I'll also get him one of those information tags and get the contact information of the veterinarian. I appreciate your tips about how to prepare a special kit for your pet.

Adam Golightly link

2/2/2021 03:56:59 pm

My brother has been thinking about taking better care of his Tabby because he wants to make sure that she can stay healthy. He would really like to get some help from a professional in order to make sure that surgery can be a lot safer. I'll be sure to tell him about how they should get a chip for her to make sure that he can find her after a natural disaster.

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2/15/2021 07:11:57 am

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2/15/2021 07:15:02 am

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2/19/2021 01:08:41 pm

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First aid tips for dogs

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3/1/2021 08:22:45 am

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3/12/2021 05:28:54 am

Very useful information. I never knew about it. thank you so much for sharing.

Bradley W. Leflore link

4/18/2021 01:14:06 pm

I like what you said about taking care of things the day of your appointment. Finding the right vet clinic is important. My neighbor needs to find a local vet.

Eve Mitchell link

5/19/2021 11:19:04 am

I loved the tip about having a 'go-bag in case of emergency. My cats are older and they might need medical assistance. I am trying to find a good vet ER in case we need it.

Braden Bills link

5/25/2021 10:38:05 am

I want to make sure that I take good care of my dog, but I'm not sure how to help. It makes sense that I would want to get a vet to help out with this kind of thing! I'll be sure to take him in for regular health visits.

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5/30/2021 02:07:36 am

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6/14/2021 08:26:08 am

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6/19/2021 01:40:47 am

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6/23/2021 03:03:22 am

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6/26/2021 06:30:56 am

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7/13/2021 06:33:07 am

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8/4/2021 03:49:58 pm

My mom owns an older Irish Settler that she has had owned for about a decade. She wants to make sure that she isn't in any pain from getting older, and has the care that she needs. Getting some help from a professional vet could allow her to be safer. I liked what you said about how she should have the phone numbers of the pet hospital, vet, and other specialists prepared in case she needs help.

9/17/2021 08:11:36 am

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10/26/2021 07:22:00 am

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10/29/2021 05:00:00 am

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12/11/2021 07:19:21 pm

If you have to leave your home during an emergency, don't leave your pet behind, even if you think you will only be away from your house for a few hours.

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12/14/2021 01:52:44 pm

If you are going to a public shelter, pets may not be allowed, so it is important to plan where you will go in advance. Your emergency plan should identify possible pet-friendly locations, including:

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12/20/2021 01:27:36 am

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12/23/2021 05:16:22 pm

This simple procedure can be done at any appointment, with minimal pain - it's similar to a vaccine injection, just with a larger needle to accommodate the size of the chip. I truly appreciate your great post!

12/31/2021 07:19:59 am

It is a great blog post.I am always read your blog helpful and informative tips. I like it thanks for sharing this information with us

1/3/2022 02:30:50 am

Jeff Carbine link

1/7/2022 09:56:48 am

I never knew that is the absolute most important thing you can do to increase the odds of reuniting with your animal in the wake of disaster. I never thought that it would be like this, it is an intriguing article to read and I will also share this with my aunt. Thank you for the information about pet hospitals.

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1/13/2022 06:25:46 am

Create a family emergency plan. This should include escape routes from your home and your community. Choose an emergency meeting place where your family can gather.

John Carston link

1/14/2022 08:46:40 pm

It's interesting that you mentioned the importance of having identification for your pet. I have a cousin who thinks that her pet has a dental problem because she is not eating properly and asked if I have any idea what is the best option to do. I wanted to thank you for your explanation about the importance of identification to our pet and I'll be sure to tell her that she can consult trusted veterinary clinic as they can answer all her inquiries and will provide the proper treatment.

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1/16/2022 12:19:10 pm

1/25/2022 08:03:01 am

I never knew that we're offering useful hints and tools to make sure you and your animal family are prepared for anything. I never thought that it would be like this, I'll share this with my aunt. Thank you for the information about the vet.

Victoria Addington link

2/28/2022 10:21:12 am

A food supply good for three to seven days is indeed a must to include in a go-bag. I will follow these tips on preparing a go-bag for my dog. I should also buy all-natural dog food to ensure the health of my pet.

Tex Hooper link

3/3/2022 09:52:34 pm

I like what you said about using ziploc bags of litter. I need to get a new dog. My terrier passed away.

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Olivia Smart link

6/2/2022 10:53:39 am

Thank you for your advice on what to put in a "go bag". I've been wondering how to be prepared for any emergencies that can come up with our dog. I never thought to have something like this, but I'll be sure to put one together now.

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6/13/2022 09:38:19 am

Nice information we should prepare for every kind of situation. that's, why a pet lover also need to be informed with all type of veterinary instruments which can help to reduce injuries.

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9/7/2022 10:21:57 pm

Know who can take care of your animals in an emergency, including friends, family, boarding houses, animal shelters, and veterinarians. Make a list of contact information. Be ready to shelter your animals separately, even if they might feel more at home together. Participate in evacuation exercises with your dogs so they get used to entering and exiting their carriers peacefully. Ensure that all of your pet's collars are properly attached with current identification, and that all of your pet's immunizations are up to date. In an effort to stop the spread of disease, many animal shelters demand documentation of recent immunizations.

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Top 3 Emergency Preparedness Tips for your Pets

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