Throughout recorded history, countless pets and animals have been lost to the unfathomable force of natural disasters. From storms ripping through the South to hurricanes hitting Tornado Alley, the best we can hope for right now is to keep our pets safe with us. That’s where National Pet Preparedness Month comes in. So, mark each June on your calendar for rethinking and overhauling your family’s emergency plan.
About National Pet Preparedness Month
How did this holiday month focused on survival come about? In 2003, the US government established a program simply called Ready to raise awareness about how to protect your pets when the unthinkable happens and your home is in the path of a natural disaster. They have partnered with the Red Cross, ASPCA, Humane Society, and even the beer company Anheuser-Busch with the goal of spreading as much awareness as possible so that people can make the best decisions on how best to protect their pets. National Pet Preparedness Month grew out of this powerful alliance, and we still celebrate it every June.
According to an ASPCA survey from 20211, 83% of pet owners live in an area affected by natural disasters, but less than half have an emergency plan! The same survey found that one in five families were forced to evacuate during a disaster and nearly half left a pet behind in the mess. With estimates indicating that evacuees were unable to return home for days to 2 weeks, the outcome for the pets left behind was dire.
That’s why National Preparedness Month is so important for all pet parents out there. Even if you think you won’t be affected by a disaster, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared and save lives. Let’s take a look at some ways you can celebrate this month every June as well as some invaluable tips for updating your family’s emergency kit with your favorite four-legged pet in mind.
How to Celebrate National Pet Preparedness Month
It’s not the most exciting occasion, but we really can’t stress enough the importance of National Pet Grooming Month. Considering those statistics above, it’s even more important that you celebrate this month wisely by raising awareness among pet parents who may not be as prepared as you.
Ways to Celebrate National Pet Grooming Month:
- Talk to pet owners you know about the importance of having an emergency plan, especially if you live in a disaster-prone region.
- Update your emergency supplies with new, unexpired items annually, and make sure your existing supplies aren’t spoiled.
- Tag your pet posts on social media during June with the hashtag #PetPreparednessMonth to spread awareness about the month.
- Find pet-friendly shelters near you, confirm their policies, and share these locations with fellow pet owners to ensure no pets are left behind in future disasters.
- Consider investing in pet insurance to further protect your pet from damage that may occur during or after disasters.
- If possible, after a disaster, volunteer some of your time at animal rescue shelters that may be struggling.
Take the Chance to Update Your Pet Emergency Plan (Or Create One!)
Many people rarely think about their emergency plan until it’s too late—don’t be one of those people. If you have an emergency plan but haven’t updated it since you adopted a pet, we encourage you to do so in the spirit of National Pet Preparedness Month. Remember that the best way to protect your pet is through timely preparation! Let’s review what you should pack in your emergency kit and the important rules you should know as a pet owner facing a potential disaster.
What to Include in Your Pet Emergency Plan:
- One gallon of water per member of your family per day, plus additional water per pet
- A week’s worth of perishable kibble, canned food, and/or wet food pouches. Refresh any perishable products frequently
- Collar with an ID tag and your contact information in case you get separated from your pet
- A photocopy of your pet’s vaccinations, prescriptions and veterinary records in a waterproof zippable bag
- A week’s worth of any medications your pet takes on a regular basis in case local refills are not available after a disaster
- Extra leash, harness, and transport crate
- Human first-aid kit and pet first-aid kit
- Collapsible food and water bowl
- Grooming glove, if your pet consents to grooming
- Small bag of cat litter and portable-sized litter pan—use litter sparingly in case of extended periods without access to stores
- Blanket for warmth
- A small toy or two per pet to help keep morale up
- A physical list of addresses where you can shelter with your pet—neighboring shelters, out-of-state friends and family, etc.
- A physical list of key phone numbers you need to reach—friends, family, colleagues, etc.
The unthinkable happens and your home is in the path of a deadly hurricane or tornado—what do you do? Your emergency plan, kit, and family are ready, but you may still be lost on the finer points of how to calmly guide your loved ones to safety together. To help in this vein, we’ve gathered some important tips that might just help the next time you need to evacuate with your pet.
Important Tips for Disaster-Related Pet Owners:
- Maintain a cool, confident demeanor. Pets follow your lead and can easily pick up on it when you’re nervous or scared.
- During the evacuation, keep your pet in their travel crate or on a leash at all times for everyone’s safety and peace of mind.
- Even if it’s just their box, make sure your cat has a safe place to call themselves during these trying times.
- Adhere to routines such as mealtimes as closely as possible, allowing for safety.
- Make sure evacuation routes are clear before leaving your home. You don’t want to be caught in a traffic jam and a storm at the same time, trust us.
- In the planning stages, start training your pet to come when you call. This is especially critical if your area is low-lying or hurricane-prone.
- Never leave your pet behind if you evacuate, even if a neighbor, friend, or family member promises to watch them.
Conclusion
Every June is National Pet Preparedness Month, dedicated to helping pet owners like you protect their pets by raising awareness about disaster preparedness. Take some time this June to review your emergency plan, refresh your supplies, and help others keep their pets safe during the toughest times nature has to throw at us.
Featured Image Credit: Image Credit: frantic00, Shutterstock
