Title: Pet Evacuation Plan
Author: Gary Kurz
Pet Evacuation Plan
When the earth shakes, the wind blows or the home is filled
with the smell of smoke, most people automatically shift
into the self-preservation mode and scramble to preserve
their lives and the lives of others in the family. Those
who plan ahead and develop contingencies for such emergency
situations generally fare better than those who do not.
Professionals in the emergency disaster relief field
promote emergency evacuation plans for people, because they
work.
But what about an emergency plan for our pets? They are
family members too. Shouldn't our plans for emergency
evacuation include them as well? Thousands of trusting,
devoted pets are lost each year due to natural disasters
such as hurricanes, floods and fires, simply because their
people did not have an emergency plan that included them.
With proper planning, many losses and much heartache can be
avoided. Having an emergency evacuation plan in place
that includes the family pet does not require a lot of
effort. It is a task that is very easy to accomplish. The
following information and tips are provided to help you
develop such a plan.
• Never leave your pet behind unless circumstances
absolutely prevent you from taking them. For instance, if
the house is crumbling beneath your feet during an
earthquake and you can't find the cat, you probably should
get yourself and your family to safety first and then, if
safe, return to find the cat later. The chances are that a
cat or dog will manage to exit the house on their own
accord in such a situation, because they don't want to be
there either.
In a situation where there is time to plan your evacuation
however, such as an approaching fire-line or hurricane,
pets should not be left behind. Their lives are as
vulnerable to these threats as humans and they need to be
protected. Even if they manage to survive, the chance of
them running off and not being found is extremely high. If
they are found, it will probably be animal control and in
the aftermath of a natural disaster, efforts for reuniting
pets with their people are not high on the agenda.
• Do not book your pet into a local kennel or temporary
shelter unless local authorities determine the shelter will
withstand the impending danger. If the facility is in the
path of destruction, boarding your pet there will not
remove the danger to them. You will probably find that
local shelters and kennels will be closed and not accepting
business anyway. Additionally, kennels in neighboring
towns that are not in harm's way will probably run out of
vacancies very quickly.
The best idea is to check with your local shelter or
chapter of the SPCA long before the need arises. They may
already have all the information you need.
In the absence of having such information, it is suggested
that you keep your pet(s) with you. Recently there has
been a awakening in the motel/hotel industry to the
importance of pets to potential customers and more and more
establishments are making provisions for animals. It
should be relatively easy to find a motel that will accept
your pet for very little additional expense.
• Ensure that your pet's vaccines are up to date and have
that paperwork in a place where you can find it quickly if
the need to evacuate arises. If your evacuation occurs
during the time the disaster is taking place (i.e. the
beginning of a hurricane, etc.) make sure your pet has a
collar and that the required tags are attached. Without
meaning any disrespect, it might be a good time to treat
your pet like a piece of luggage by adding an information
tag to the collar with your contact information and an
alternate family member's (outside the endangered zone)
contact information. In the event you are separated from
your pet, this could be the one factor that ensures you are
reunited.
• Some organizations give advice for situations where you
have no choice but to leave your pet(s) at home. Except in
those where circumstances prevent you from locating your
pet and you must leave immediately (i.e. flood waters
rising, etc.) such advice does not resonate with this
writer. As a member of the family, they have an
expectation of being important too. They depend upon you
and you can't let them down.
Just a little effort today may save you a lot of heartache
tomorrow. Take the time and draft a plan for pet
evacuation.
About the Author:
The author is a retired Coast Guard Officer with over 32
years of service. He is also a Baptist Preacher and Bible
Teacher. He helps those grieving the loss of a pet to
understand the Biblical evidence that proves they live on.
His most popular book, "Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates"
delivers hope and comfort to the reader in a very gentle,
yet convincing way. Visit at http://www.coldnose
for more information and tips.
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