Following the recent and devastating floods in Texas and in light of this week’s flash flood warning across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, Best Friends Animal Society, a leading national animal welfare organization working to end the killing of cats and dogs in America’s shelters, is urging people to take proactive steps to ensure the safety and well-being of their pets during weather-related emergencies. Flash flooding can happen quickly, so advanced preparations can mean the difference between life and death for pets.
“Many pets become separated from their families during severe weather evacuations due to lack of preparation—don’t let yours be one of them,” said Sharon Hawa, Senior Manager of Emergency Services, Best Friends Animal Society. “For those living in flood-prone areas, now is the time to make plans for your pet to ensure their protection and care in the event you need to evacuate.”
From packing a pet emergency kit to identifying emergency shelters and caregivers, Best Friends is offering the below guidance, as well as five essential safety tips to ensure people and their pets are flood-ready:
Prepare Your Pet:
- Should separation occur during an evacuation or other emergency, safeguard your pet’s health and chance for a swift return by:
Microchipping your pet and making sure the registration is up to date with your current phone number and address. - Making sure your pet’s vaccines are up-to-date to protect them from illness and injury, as well as ensure they can be accepted into an evacuation shelter or boarding facility if needed.
Pack a Go Bag
Evacuations can happen quickly, so it’s vital to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. A pet emergency “go bag” should include: - Printed vaccination records and a week’s worth prescriptions, medications and a list of medical needs, dosages and vet contact info. It’s also a good idea to store this information in a secure cloud storage service or on a backup device to ensure access even if phones or paper documents are lost or damaged.
•A 3-to-5-day supply of wet and/or dry pet food and water - Collapsible water bowl
- Toys, treats, and a familiar item like a worn sweater of their humans to reduce stress
- Leash, collar with ID tag/microchip, and a labeled crate
- Waste bags, blanket, towels, and a small litter box with litter for cats
- Bowl, can opener, and spoon
Pet First Aid Kit
Veterinary access may be limited during disasters. Your pet’s first aid kit should include: - Pet first-aid guidebook and emergency contact list
- Antiseptic wipes, gauze, and wraps
- Antibacterial ointment, tweezers, scissors, gloves, and cold packs
- Cotton swabs/balls, 3% hydrogen peroxide, and a sterile saline syringe
- Muzzle, emergency blanket, sling for larger dogs, and flashlight.
Designate Pet Caregivers and Boarding Options
Pets should never be left alone at home or tied- up outside during a storm. In the event people are displaced or unable to care for their pet, it’s important to:
Identify trusted caregivers and provide them with your pet’s daily routine and emergency supplies
Research pet-friendly lodging within a 5–50-mile radius.
If caregivers are unavailable, know your nearest pet-friendly evacuation shelters and boarding facilities
Take and Store Photos of Your Pets on Your Phone and Computer Hard Drive:
Photos are key to reuniting with a lost pet:
Take a clear photo of your pet alone, and one of you with your pet
Store them on your phone and print copies in case of device failure or power loss
“Pets are family, and they depend on us for their safety,” said Hawa. “Preparing now can prevent heartbreak later. Take the time to build an emergency kit, plan for care, and ensure your pet’s identification is up to date.”
For more detailed information on preparing your pet for a weather-related emergency, visit https://bestfriends.org.
Best Friends Animal Society is a leading animal welfare organization dedicated to saving the lives of dogs and cats in America’s shelters and making the entire country no-kill. Founded in 1984, Best Friends runs lifesaving facilities and programs nationwide in partnership with more than 5,000 shelters and rescue organizations. From our headquarters in Kanab, Utah, we also operate the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary — a destination that brings our mission to life for thousands of visitors each year. We maintain the most comprehensive animal sheltering data in the country and make it accessible to the public — empowering communities with critical insights into the needs of their local shelters and how they can help. We believe every dog and cat deserves a home. And we believe that, by working together, we can Save Them All®.
Best Friends Animal Society has the most comprehensive, accurate data for sheltered dogs and cats in the United States, which is collected from over 7900 shelters and rescue groups.