Disaster Planning for Pets

Do you have a plan for your family pet in case of a flood, earthquake or fire? Pets often become frightened and hide during an emergency, and sometimes become lost, or trapped. What can you do to be prepared for an emergency? Having a plan will save precious time and maybe even the life of your pet.

Preparing for a disaster:

• Food and Water: Have available at least a week’s supply of your pet’s normal food as well as some additional canned and dry pet food in case you come across other strays in need. An average-sized dog needs about four litres (one gallon) of water per day and cats a litre (one quart).
   

• Identify your pet: Keep your pet's license current and make sure that a collar identification tag is worn at all times.
   

• Train your pet: Train your pet to enter its carrier at your command. One way is to train is to feed treats in the carrier and sounding a bell at the same time. Repeat this process for several days. Continue to do this routine often enough to keep it fresh in your pet’s mind. This will prove very helpful in locating a frightened pet. Train your dog to come on command.
   

• Emergency Lists: Have the name, address and phone number of the local animal control agencies and SPCA, and pet boarding kennels. Also, a list of pet-friendly hotels will help in case emergency centres do not accept pets. Or, have a list of family or friends to call outside your city to house your pet.
   

• Develop a neighborhood plan: Get to know your neighbors and their pets. Keep a list of emergency and neighbors' numbers and select someone in your neighborhood to be a coordinator, who will be ready to assist, if a disaster occurs while you are not home.
   

• First Aid Kit: Prepare a first-aid kit. For pets on medication, keep a two-week supply in storage remembering to follow your veterinarian’s instruction regarding storing medicine.
   
• Supplies: A litter box for cats and a supply of cat litter; a grooming brush and pooper-scooper; a transport kennel for a dog or cat (there are collapsible wire cages and soft-sided carriers for cats available if you are short on storage space); pet beds and toys (as appropriate).
   
• Create a pet file: name and contact information of your veterinarian, copies of dog license, vaccination records, contact information of friends who may be able to house your pets for short periods, a recent photo and other identification information.
   

• sturdy crate and/or carrier
• identification tag and collar
• leashes
• food/water (7-day supply for each pet)
• non-spill bowls
• litter box
• any special medications
• manual can opener/plastic lid
• copy of your pet’s current vaccination history
• recent photos of your pet
• pet first-aid kit
• emergency phone numbers
• newspapers and paper towels

There are handy first-aid guides available for pets. Check your local pet supply store or book store. Also, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has a good manual on pet first aid.

During a Disaster:

Try your best to take your pet with you. If this is NOT possible when you evacuate, follow these guidelines to help ensure your pet’s safety:

• Post a highly visible sign in a window to let rescue workers know how many pets were left behind. 
   
• Leave plenty of water in a large, open container which cannot be tipped over.
   
• Leave dry food in timed feeders (check local pet stores). These will prevent your pet from eating a week’s worth of food in one day.
   
• Do not tie or cage your pet as the chances for survival are greater if it can escape easily.

Following a Disaster if your pet becomes lost

• Immediately call or visit the nearest animal shelter to report your pet missing.
   
• When deemed safe, return to your neighbourhood to post and distribute lost animal posters, which include your name, phone number, and address.
   
• Continue searching your area for your pet.
   
• Call neighbors, and service workers such as mail carriers, police, fire fighters, etc. for leads.

Special Considerations for Farm Animals

Farm animals, including horses, require their own emergency plans. Click here to visit the BC SPCA's webpage on disaster preparedness for farm animals.

The BC SPCA has an information leaflet about the "Disaster Preparedness" available for download in Adobe Acrobat PDF format (122K).