September is Natural Disaster Preparedness Month. We know, 2020 has already been exhausting. However, that doesn’t mean that we are safe from fires, floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. In this article from Fairfield Animal Hospital, your Cy-Fair animal hospital, a local veterinarian offers a few helpful tips on getting your pet ready for an emergency.

ID

One of the best things you can do to prepare your pet for an emergency is make sure they are microchipped and wearing ID tags. If you and your furry bff are ever separated, this may be the only way people can connect you!

Bugout Bag

We recommend having an emergency bag ready for your pet, so you can grab it if you need to. You’ll want to include at least a week’s worth of food, treats, medicine, water, and, in Fluffy’s case, kitty litter. Other things to add include a first-aid kit, dishes, bedding, towels, wipes, toys, and copies of your pet’s paperwork. Dogs should also have a tie-out line and waste baggies. It’s not a bad idea to include a muzzle as well, as some shelters require them. It’s better to have one and not need it, than need one and not have it.

Plans

Part of preparation is having a good emergency plan. We recommend printing out a list of all pet-friendly shelters and hotels within a 2 or 3 hour drive. You’ll also want some pet first-aid brochures, as well as copies of your pet’s medical records and vaccinations. This is very important, as you may need to show proof that your pet is current on preventative care in order to get them into a shelter.

Fire Prevention

Did you know that pets start as many as 1000 fires a year? It’s very easy for Fluffy to knock a candle over, or for Fido to bump into a gas burner and turn it on. Use fire grates, candle holders, and sconces to put a barrier between your furry pal and open flames. Also, make sure your pet can’t knock a heater over. It’s a good idea to get pet stickers for your windows as well. Finally, avoid using glass bowls on wooden decks: these can actually start fires. Please reach out to Fairfield Animal Hospital, your Cy-Fair animal hospital, for all of your pet’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!