Remember your pets when planning for emergencies

County Emergency Manager reminds residents how to prepare for an emergency.

Reno, Nevada. Sept. 24, 2015. September is National Preparedness Month and the Washoe County’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security is reminding residents what to do to prepare for disasters and emergencies. Each week in September, Washoe County Emergency Management is distributing personal preparedness tips to help people prepare by making emergency plans, assembling emergency kits and staying informed.

Preparedness Tip #4: Pet Preparedness: While creating our emergency plan, it is important to keep our family pets in mind. Each type of disaster requires different measures for pets, therefore, it is important to ensure their safety and make sure they are included in the planning process.

In the event of an evacuation, it’s important to take into consideration, if it’s not safe for you; it is not safe for your pet. Do not leave your pets behind. Not all Red Cross sheltering facilities allow animals; therefore it’s essential to identify alternate housing for your pet. Prior to an event, contact your veterinarian for a list of preferred boarding kennels and facilities. Identify hotels or motels outside of your immediate area that accept pets and ask friends or relatives if they would be willing to take in your pet in the event of an emergency.

Just as it is important for us to have an emergency kit, we should have one for our pets as well. The items that should be included in the kit are:

• 3-7 days’ worth of water
• 3-7 days’ worth of canned (pop-top) or dry food (be sure to rotate every 2 months)
• Extra collar or harness as well as an extra leash
• Disposable litter trays
• Litter or paper toweling
• Disposable garbage bags for clean-up
• Pet feeding dishes
• Photocopies of medical records and a two-week supply of any medications for your pet
• Flashlight
• Blanket
• Current photo of your pet (in case they are separated from you and need to make “Lost” posters)
• Especially for cats: Pillowcase, toys, scoop able litter
• Especially for dogs: extra leash, toys and chew toys, extra cage liner

Animals depend on their owners to keep them safe. Including them in your emergency planning efforts allows for peace of mind and ensures safety of owners and pets when disasters or emergencies strike.

For more information on emergency preparedness, please visit: www.readywashoe.com and for more information specific to animals and preparedness, please visit: https://www.washoecounty.us/animal/files/disasterbrochure.pdf

Watch a video produced by Washoe County Television for more tips on how to prepare for an emergency.

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