Are you prepared to keep your pets safe in case of a disaster? Plan ahead and you can be ready for an emergency!

Pet owners should include provisions for their pets in any household disaster plan. Pets are usually not allowed in emergency shelters, therefore it is important that you have a plan for your pets in the event you are ever forced to evacuate your home.

When disaster strikes, always keep your pets with you. If it isn't safe for you to stay put, it isn't safe to leave your pets behind.

Hurricanes, floods, tornados, wildfires, acts of terrorism, hazardous material spills-disasters can strike anytime, anywhere. It is imperative that you make preparations to evacuate your family and your pets in any situation. In the event of a disaster, proper preparation will pay off with the safety of your family and pets.

Have a Designated "Safe Spot" In Your Home

In the event of a tornado, make sure all family members know where to go in your home, usually a basement corner or inside room.  Take your pets with you to the safe spot.  Include pet food and water, leash, etc. with your emergency provisions.

Many pets can also become frightened by lightning or severe thunderstorms.  Plan ahead and make sure your pets are inside the house before the storm arrives.  If your pet is especially anxious during storms, see your vet for advice on medications to help calm your pet.

If You Evacuate, Take Your Pets With You!

The single most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to take them with you when you evacuate. Animals left behind in a disaster can easily be injured, lost, or killed. Animals left inside your home can escape through storm-damaged areas, such as broken windows. Animals turned loose to fend for themselves are likely to become victims of exposure, starvation, predators, contaminated food or water, or accidents. Leaving dogs tied or chained outside in a disaster is a death sentence.

• If you leave, even if you think you may be gone only for a few hours, take your animals. Once you leave, you have no way of knowing how long you'll be kept out of the area, and you may not be able to go back for your pets.
  
  
• Leave early-don't wait for a mandatory evacuation order. An unnecessary trip is far better than waiting too long to leave safely with your pets. If you wait to be evacuated by emergency officials, you may be told to leave your pets behind.
  
  
• Transport your pets in a carrier for the duration of the disaster. This makes your pets feel safer and more secure.
  
  
• Know your pets' usual hiding places so that you can easily locate them in times of stress.
  

Find a Safe Place Ahead of Time

Because evacuation shelters generally don't accept pets (except for service animals), you must plan ahead to ensure that your family and pets will have a safe place to stay. Don't wait until disaster strikes to do your research.

• Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check policies on accepting pets. Ask about any restrictions on number, size, and species. Ask if "no pet" policies would be waived in an emergency. Make a list of pet-friendly places and keep it handy. Call ahead for a reservation as soon as you think you might have to leave your home.
  
  
• Check with friends, relatives, or others outside your immediate area. Ask if they would be able to shelter you and your animals or just your animals, if necessary. If you have more than one pet, you may have to be prepared to house them separately.
  
  
• Also, ask a friend, family member or a neighbor if they will look after your pets if you are unable to return to your home due to a disaster. Make sure they have a key to your house to use in an emergency.
  
  
• Make a list of boarding facilities and veterinary offices that might be able to shelter animals in emergencies; include 24-hour telephone numbers.
  
  
• Ask your local animal shelter if it provides foster care or shelter for pets in an emergency. This should be your last resort, as shelters have limited resources and are likely to be stretched to their limits. especially during an emergency.

Assemble A "Pet Survival Kit" In Advance

Make sure it's all packed and ready to grab in case you need to evacuate quickly. You should include:

• Water, food and containers.
• A leash/muzzle/harness.
• A copy of your pet's current vaccinations and health records, license numbers and microchip numbers.
• Any medications your pet needs.
• A pet carrier, cage or crate.
• Plastic bags for waste pick-up.
• A current photo of your pet in case you become separated.

Are you prepared for an "Everyday Emergency"?

What if you are unable to return home to your pets due to icy roads, bad storm or a medical emergency?

Make sure a trusted friend or neighbor has a key to your house and is willing to take care of your pets. Tell the friend where to find your emergency pet kit, leashes, etc.

For more information about preparing for emergencies, please visit the Humane Society of the United States web site.