May is National Pet Month and to celebrate, we’re discussing a topic that’s not often prioritized in conversations about disaster preparedness: safeguarding your pets during extreme weather. Any pet owner knows that our pets are more than just animals, they’re beloved members of our families. Just like us, they’re vulnerable to the impacts of severe weather and natural disasters. Whether you’re facing a hurricane, wildfire, earthquake or blizzard, being prepared can make all the difference in keeping your furry companions safe. In this blog, we’ll explore essential preparation and precautions to ensure the well-being of pets during an emergency.
- Create an Emergency Kit:
Alongside your family emergency kit, prepare a pet-specific kit that contains essential items:
- Sufficient pet food and water reserves for at least three days
- Medications
- Collapsible food and water bowls
- Copies of identification and vaccination records
- Leashes, blankets, towels, and a familiar toy or comfort item
- Develop a Pet Evacuation Plan:
When you’re in the chaotic midst of a disaster, it is crucial to have plans already in place you can rely on. Before disaster strikes, identify pet-friendly shelters, hotels, or other caregivers you can bring your pets to if you must evacuate your home. It’s also helpful to keep a list of trusted boarding facilities or veterinary clinics that can accommodate pets during emergencies. Practice evacuating with your pets, including getting them accustomed to carriers or crates.
- Know What to do if Separated:
Ensure that your pets are microchipped and have collars with up-to-date identification tags to easily locate them in the event you are separated. Also, keep a list of emergency contacts, including your veterinarian, local animal control and neighborhood social media channels you can engage to help find your pet if you’re separated during an emergency.
- Secure Your Home:
Bring outdoor pets inside during severe weather events. Block windows, doors, and pet doors to prevent pets from escaping or getting injured. You can also use baby gates or barriers to restrict access to hazardous areas in your home. To go the extra mile, consider installing a pet sticker on your front door to notify rescue workers of the number and types of pets inside.
- Plan for Specific Disasters:
- For wildfires, clear vegetation around your home and designate a safety zone for larger pets like horses and farm animals. There are also great fire-resistant carriers and crates on the market that will maximize safety during the evacuation process.
- Hurricanes with storm surge, identify high-ground locations where you can take shelter with your pets. You can also have life jackets for pets on hand if you live in a low-lying area.
- For earthquakes, secure heavy furniture and appliances to prevent injuries to pets during tremors. Have a designated safe spot in your home where pets can take cover.
- For tornadoes, designate a safe area in or around your home where you and your pets can take shelter. Ideally, this area should be away from windows, such as a basement, cellar, or an interior room on the lowest level of the house.
Disasters bring unexpected expenses and pet care can be one of them. It’s why supplemental disaster insurance, like Recoop, is designed to be fast and flexible to bolster your disaster resilience. Recoop works by quickly depositing crucial emergency funds (up to $25,000) directly into your account in the event of a hurricane (with storm surge), wildfire, tornado, earthquake, gas explosion, winter storm or dust storm. That Recoop cash can help cover an array of pet-related emergency expenses, including the costs of securing housing for your pets, food, and medical care.
As responsible pet owners, it is our duty to ensure the safety and well-being of our furry family members during times of crisis. By planning ahead, creating emergency kits, and staying informed, we can minimize the risks and keep our pets out of harm’s way during natural disasters. A little preparation can go a long way in protecting our beloved pets when they need us most. To learn more about how Recoop Disaster Insurance can strengthen your family’s emergency plan, visit www.recoopinsurance.com