If you’re ever in an emergency situation with your pets, the key is to remain as calm as possible. Staying calm not only will help you think clearly about the actions you must take, but it will also help your pets to stay calm. Pets react to their humans’ anxiety levels. What to do next depends on the situation. Here are some general tips for evacuating with pets during an emergency or a natural disaster.
Emergencies can happen at any time, so it’s crucial for people with pets to be as prepared as possible for a potential evacuation or shelter-in-place situation that could last for hours, days, weeks, or even longer. A good first step is knowing which hazards are most likely to impact your community — whether it’s wildfires, flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, or extreme heat or cold. Then, plan accordingly with a response for each scenario.
To begin making a pet emergency plan, ask yourself the following:
When a natural disaster or other emergency occurs, it's natural to get immersed in the stories and empathize with the victims. This might motivate you to assist in whatever way possible. For pet lovers, there are many ways to help animal shelters in an emergency situation beyond donating crucial funds.