September is Disaster Preparedness Month. This is very timely, as the West Coast is burning with several wild fires and Houston is literally under water. An older adult’s pet is often their most beloved companion. It is important to have a plan for your pet in case of a disaster and/or evacuation. Here are somethings to think about:
- Create a buddy system in case you’re not home. Ask a trusted neighbor to check on your animal.
- Identify shelters so you know who to call in case your pet is lost.
- Find pet friendly hotels and keep the list in your pet’s emergency kit.
- Locate boarding facilities or animal hospitals outside your local area where you can board your pet or get medical care for them. Keep this list in your pet’s emergency kit.
- Identify an out-of-town friend or family member where you can go with your pet in an emergency.
- Have your pet micro-chipped and keep your contact information current. Also, provide contact information for a friend outside of your area.
- Make sure your animal’s vaccinations are current and you have that information in the emergency kit in case of needing boarding or veterinary care.
An excellent website to learn about preparing for disasters is WWW.Ready.Gov