Preparing Your Pets For An Emergency Or Natural Disaster

Do everything you can to prepare for a natural disaster or an emergency - your pets depend on you!

Hurricanes generally allow us time to prepare; however, other natural disasters or man-made disasters can strike at any time. Even with advanced preparation, many important things can be overlooked. Pets are family too, so remember to include your pets in your emergency planning. 

Pet preparedeness checklist

Prepare and plan ahead of a natural disaster or emergency to help keep your dog or cat as safe as possible:

• Identify your pets. All pets should be microchipped and wear a collar with ID and rabies tag. Have pictures of your pets in case he/she gets lost.
• Purchase secure carriers for cats and small dogs and sturdy leads for larger dogs. Mark your name, address, phone numbers, and alternate contact information on their belongings. Pack beds, blankets, toys and cleaning supplies.
• Keep medical records, including current vaccination information, in a waterproof container.
• Have a 2 week supply of medications, food, and water on hand. Also pack bowls and a manual can opener.
• Pack litter box, extra litter, and a scooper for cats.
• Research pet friendly shelters and hotels.
• Purchase or make a pet first aid kit.
• Put a Pet Alert Rescue sticker on your home window.

For more information, visit www.ready.gov.

Microchips and the role they play in helping reunite owners with their dogs or cats

Even with the best planning and preparation, there may be times in an emergency situation where you and your pet get separated. A microchip is the single most important gift you can give your pet to help increase your chances of being reunited with your dog or cat. If your family pet does not have microchip identification, consider these amazing reunion stories!

Rocco, a beagle from Queens, New York went missing in 2003. Five years later, Rocco was reunited with his family after animal control officials in Georgia identified him by his microchip!

Brooke Burke, Season 7 champion of "Dancing with the Stars", had her chocolate lab, Jake, returned to her after he was lost for nine months. When the man who found and kept Jake took him in for a check-up, the veterinarian scanned for a microchip and began the reunion process.
For a happy ending should your pet stray, have your pet microchipped as soon as possible.

Are you in Cypress or the surrounding areas? Make an appointment at our animal hospital for your pet's exam, vaccines, heartworm & parasite preventative, dental cleaning and more. You can also schedule a time to have your dog or cat come in to get a microchip.

Make Appointment