How To Ensure that Your Pet Weathers a Natural Disaster

Our pets are almost totally dependent on us; for many of us they are the children that we don’t have. The emotional bond between a trusting pet and a human being is a beautiful one. This bond is most severely tested when a natural disaster strikes – it could be a fire, earthquake, hurricane, flood, anything.

Pets cannot fend for themselves, a street-smart feral cat or dog hardened by living in contact with nature may have a better chance of taking care of itself in a situation but pets that are used to having food and shelter at their disposal are totally helpless and just cannot fend for themselves.

It is our duty under every conceivable law of man and God to be there for our pets at all times and more so when a natural calamity strikes. In fact, not just our own pets, as animal lovers we should try and make things easy for all animals that may get affected in case a natural calamity strikes.

Here are certain things to keep in mind so that you are prepared to take care of your pet during the period of a disaster and the days that follow.

First and foremost, always factor in your pets when you are preparing a disaster management plan. If you are forced to evacuate, see than you know about hotels, evacuation shelters, pet shelters that will accept your pet. This is information that has to be available with you beforehand. It is a very good idea to display a prominent notice visible to rescue squads telling them that there are pets in your house. Hygiene and sanitation are issues when floods or fires occur. Keep your pets inoculated and vaccinated against preventable conditions that their breed is susceptible to. Rescue shelters will also ask for proof of vaccination before accepting your pet. Get yourself and your family photographed with your pet, it will help to establish ownership should the need arise or if the animal gets lost.

Stock adequate supplies of pet food and also a proper first aid kit for pets. You should have a couple of strong leashes handy. You will need a pet carrier to transport the animal to a shelter, if required. Keep wire and bolt cutters handy. You should also know how to lift and carry jittery animals. It is a good idea to cover them with a blanket first.

During the disaster you have to be there for your pet. Comfort it. See that the unavoidable commotions that will come with rain or flood do not disorient the animal. Very importantly, don’t let the animal wander out on its own. Keep it at home but not confined and chained. Give it space and make sure that you can reach it quickly should you have to evacuate on short notice. Be gentle and patient with the animal. Dogs and cats can get confused and this may lead to overly defensive or aggressive behavior. They don’t really know how to react. We have to be there for them. Once the event is over, try to get them back to their normal routine in as gentle a manner as possible.

If you stay in a place prone to fires, then keep your residential are clear of dead brush and dried grass. Keep a fire extinguisher at home. You should also know how to perform CPR. If you stay where flood waters can rise fast during a storm surge, do not make the mistake of leaving your pet tied to a post. The safe thing to do is to evacuate at the first alarm. There is absolutely no sense in trying out your luck against nature’s fury. The stakes are simply too high.