Covering Everything You Need To Know About Pet Safety Preparedness And The Month-Long Holiday That Promotes It
Emergencies happen when you least expect them. Although we can’t predict the future, we can certainly prepare for them. This applies to your pets as well. The whole month of June is celebrated as National Pet Preparedness Month. This month-long holiday aims to remind pet owners about the importance of being prepared for pet emergency situations. This article will discuss this important holiday and offer some general advice on how you can be better prepared for when pet emergencies happen.
Pet Emergencies
Caring for pets is a lot like caring for children. The moment you look away they tend to get into trouble. There are many different types of pet emergencies that can happen and they will usually vary based upon the type of pet. Accidental choking is more common with dogs while getting stuck in small spaces is more common with cats. However, both dogs and cats are known for accidental poisoning. No matter what kind of pet emergency you find yourself in, there should always be a plan in place to handle it.
How To Be Prepared
We never know what life is going to throw at us on any given day. Which is why it’s so important to try and be prepared for anything and everything. You can handle nearly any pet emergency situation if you have the right tools and plan for the job. Here we will cover some of the basic pet emergency essentials that every pet owner should have on standby.
Pet Emergency Kit
Every pet owner should have an emergency kit for their pets on hand. In the event you and your family (that includes your pets) have to evacuate your home, this kit will be essential for keeping your pets happy, healthy, and safe. Like most emergency kits, it should include a first aid kit in case your pet gets injured and needs immediate attention. Aside from a first aid kit, it should also include things like a few days worth of food, bottles of water, copies of veterinarian records, extra medication, cat litter & pan, poop bags, extra leash & collar, and a favorite toy.
Identification
One of the most important things your pet will need during most emergency situations is visible and up-to-date identification. Your pets should always have their I.D. tags up-to-date and visible in case they are separated from you or lost. This is especially true during a natural disaster such as an earthquake, flood, or tornado. Your missing pet will never be returned to you if they don’t have proper I.D. tags.
Have A Plan In Place
Another great way to be prepared for pet emergencies is to have a rehearsed plan in place. This involves knowing where to go and what to do in any given emergency situation. These emergency plans will vary depending on where you live. For example, if your area is subject to tornados, then have a plan in place to bunker down in your basement. Running monthly emergency drills with your family is also highly recommended so that everyone (including your pets) will already know what to do when an emergency situation arises.
Evacuation Plan
In many emergency situations, you and your family will have to evacuate your home. When this happens, it’s important to know where you and your family can go. Check with your local fire department and/or law enforcement to see what the standard protocol is for evacuations. Many towns and cities have designated places for people to take refuge during such emergencies like local fire halls or gymnasiums.
Contact List
Another essential thing to have during emergency situations is an up-to-date contact list. This list should include the phone numbers of relocation options, local law enforcement, local emergency veterinary hospitals, and the Pet Poison Helpline. The phone number for the Pet Poison Helpline is 855-764-7661.
Being Prepared Saves Lives
No matter how cautious and vigilant we are, some emergency situations are unavoidable. If we can’t prevent them, then we’d better be prepared for them. Having the proper plans, supplies, and foresight can make all the difference in saving your pets lives during an emergency situation. We hope you participate in National Pet Preparedness Month this June by taking the aforementioned preventative measures.
Here at Paws & Claws Pet Sitting and Dog Walking, we treat pets like family. Don’t leave your furry family members lives up to chance. Take action and take preventative measures to make sure your pet is ready for any emergency life throws at them. If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out our other pet themed & pet holiday articles located in the blog section of the Paws & Claws website. Thanks for reading and happy National Pet Preparedness Month!
