Hurricane Irma: Prepare Your Pets For Natural Disasters

ATLANTA, GA — When disaster comes your way, there's a lot you need to do to prepare. As Hurricane irma closes in on the U.S. mainland, advice for disaster planning abounds. But as you plan for potential evacuations or buy additional food, water, cell phone chargers, flashlights, and generators, you should also make sure you're prepared to cover your pets' needs as well in the case of emergency.

This is particularly important because failure to think ahead about pets' safety can cost everyone in the long run. NPR reported last week that bipartisan legislation requiring local officials to account for pets in their plans for natural disasters likely saved human and non-human lives alike in the recent Hurricane Harvey disaster. Before that legislation passed, many people refused to abandon their pets during Hurricane Katrina when emergency responders told them they couldn't bring animals along with them; some of these people perished along with their animals.

So what should you do to prepare your pets for impending natural disasters? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer the following advice:

• Prepare an appropriate carrier for your pet in case you need to evacuate
• Practice coaxing the pet into the carrier, if necessary
• Have two weeks of food and medication packed away for each of your — and make sure you can find it easily if you need to evacuate
• Be sure to pack litter, leashes clean-up materials, can opener and bowls if needed
• Be sure to have all updated tags and information about licensing, contact details and medical records for your pets
• Microchip your animals to guarantee that you'll be reunited if you get separated
• If you don't have a car, get in touch with family or friends who might be able to transport your pet if needed
• Check for pet-friendly hotels here: www.bringfido.com or call 877-411-FIDO
• Make sure you carry photos of your pets, in case you're separated
• Check with local officials to see what accommodations are available for animals if you need to evacuate or leave your home

For more advice, visit the CDC's page on pet disaster preparedness>>

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