Emergency Preparedness Week: Why Your Pet’s Safety Should Be Part of Your Plan

Emergency Preparedness Week has passed, and as some of us worried about water, batteries, and emergency kits for ourselves, there is one other family member who might appreciate a little extra thought—our pets. 

This week, the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) and the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society are reminding Canadians that our pets must be part of our emergency plan. In the event of a disaster, it is not only human life that is at risk—our pets rely on us to assist in keeping them safe too. 

The Ontario SPCA launched its “Promise to Prepare” initiative this year in an effort to remind pet owners to include emergency plans for their pets. With disasters striking any moment, preparing might just mean the difference between life and death. 

Whether the disaster is fire, flood, blizzard, or unexpected evacuation, having an emergency plan in place for pets is just as crucial as setting one up for the rest of your household.

By visiting ontariospca.ca/ep, Canadians are invited to make a commitment to preparing for the unexpected. In return, you’ll get a free digital Emergency Preparedness Workbook. 

This workbook is packed with helpful tips on creating a pet-friendly emergency kit, and it breaks everything down into simple steps. Plus, those who make the promise are entered into a draw for a pet first aid kit, which can be a lifesaver in a crisis.

Jennifer Bluhm, Vice President of Community Outreach Services at the Ontario SPCA, put it perfectly:

“We’re asking everyone who has a furry family member to promise to prepare. With a solid emergency plan in place, you’ll be better equipped to keep your pets safe when disaster strikes.”

Assembling a pet emergency kit might sound like it is something difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. Just imagine stocking a small bag for your pet—only one that should be assembled in the case of an emergency for at least 72 hours. The Ontario SPCA simplified things by suggesting a bare minimum list of essentials that will get your pet everything they need if there ever is an emergency:

• Three days’ worth of food and water (no forgetting bowls, please!)
• Blankets or towels to keep us warm and snug
• Stress-relieving comfort toys to assist us in coping with stress and anxiety
• Medications as needed
• Pet first-aid kit
• Comfortable transport by carrier or crate
• Leash, harness, and muzzle (just in case)
• Litter, litter pan, and trash bags if we’re a cat
• New ID tags, microchip data, and current photo of your pet
• A list of pet-friendly shelters, hotels, or boarding facilities close to home

Having everything in hand and ready to go ahead of time can turn a disaster that much less disorienting to manage. And while it is necessary for survival, it’s also necessary for keeping your pet calm and safe in the case of an emergency.

When disaster does hit, every second counts. Too many pet owners are left with the heinous decision of whether or not to leave behind their pets. But it needn’t come to that. The Ontario SPCA recommends pet owners make prior arrangements for where they can take their pets if a disaster does occur—such as a pet-friendly motel, a friend’s house, or a nearby boarding facility.

The bottom line: Don’t wait too late. Plan ahead and include your pets in the evacuation plan. Some have assumed that emergency shelters will have some provision for pets, but not always. Don’t suffer the agony of last-minute desperate anxiety by being clear on where you can take your pets if you need to evacuate.

Here’s a simple but perhaps life-saving suggestion: pet emergency decals. These decals you place on your door or window inform first responders that there are animals in the residence. During a fire or other emergency when you’re not home, these decals can inform rescuers that your pets need to be rescued too.

The Ontario SPCA offers them for free, and they might just be the lifesaver that comes to the rescue when seconds are all that can be afforded. Rob Grimwood, Deputy Chief and President of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, sums it up best:

"As a community, we have to be ready for human and animal emergencies. These little things will save you lots of work when it comes to your pets."

It’s all about being proactive and taking care of those little things that could possibly make the difference in an emergency.

Canada’s unpredictable weather makes emergency readiness a year-round activity. There are fires in British Columbia, floods in Quebec, and blizzards in the Prairies, each province having its own set of threats. And in the midst of all this, pets are an afterthought. So it is important that your pet is part of your emergency readiness plan.

The “Promise to Prepare” campaign isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about a change of mind. Our pets aren’t animals; they’re part of our family. They stress, they get scared, they get confused just like us, and they count on us to rescue them when all hell is breaking loose.

If you haven’t yet started preparing your pet’s emergency kit, now is the time to do it. Emergency Preparedness Week is a reminder, but being prepared for anything is something you should do as part of your routine year-round. Don’t wait until it’s too late to think about your pets’ safety.

In the end, emergency preparedness isn’t so much about checking off boxes on a to-do list—it’s about being able to sleep at night. It’s being able to say that you have done all that you can to ensure your loved ones—two-legged and four-legged—are safe. And for our pets, at least it is.

 

Source @Baby Today