Have a Plan In Place for Your Pets Before a Disaster Strikes!!!
A Guide for Disaster Planning for Pet Owners…
Many people consider their pets to be a member of their family. Have you made preparations to protect your pet(s) in the event of a major disaster or emergency? How Will You Provide For Your Pet in the Event of a Natural Disaster or an Emergency? Most disasters strike with little or no warning and emergencies come in many different forms. Each can require an overnight stay away from home or even a long term absence. Plan ahead to ensure the safety and well-being of your family and pets.
ARRANGE A SAFE HAVEN.
Your first step will be to arrange for a safe place for your pets to stay in the event you must evacuate. If it’s not safe for you, it’s not safe for your pets. If at all possible do not leave your pets behind, you may not be able to get back to care for them. Make arrangements now to take them with you or to a pre-arranged shelter.
Be aware that most shelters that accommodate humans will not accept pets because of safety and health issues. Remember, it is up to YOU to make arrangements for your pets care before an emergency exists or disaster strikes.
You may find it possible to make arrangements for your pets with friends or relatives that live outside the immediate area. If not, talk with your veterinarian or the local animal shelters. Boarding kennels may provide emergency foster care. Identify pet friendly hotels or motels that would be willing to allow pets in their facilities. Ensure that your pet’s immunizations are up to date and their health record is current. Include a current photo of your pet for identification purposes.
If you must leave your pets at home:
- Prepare an area on the inside of your home such as a bathroom or utility room.
- Rooms without windows are safer and less upsetting for your pets.
- Do not house cats and dogs together however friendly they might normally be.
- Keep small animals securely confined in cages or carriers.
- All pets should be wearing collars with proper identification tags.
- Leave enough food and water to last at least 3 days.
- Place a sign on the door of your home stating what animals are being housed inside and where they are located.
- Leave a telephone number or location of where you can be reached.
- Leashes should be hung in an area close to where the pet is being confined.
EMERGENCY TRAVEL KITS FOR PETS
Emergency travel kits for pets should include:
- Enough food for 3 days
- Bottled water
- Leashes
- Disposable feeding dishes
- Toys
- Paper towels
- Litter and pan
- Medicines
- Trash bags
- And a current copy of your pet’s health record.
All these items can be stored in a sturdy carrier or travel crate with the pets name/address and phone number written with permanent marker. You should include the number where you can be reached as well.
EXOTIC PETS
Exotic pets such as reptiles and birds will require additional items that are species specific. Items such as secure caging, appropriate food, bedding, and alternative heat source, covers and proper identification and instructions for care. Snakes can be transported in pillowcases or EvackSac until reaching their destination and being placed in a secure cage.
EMERGENCY BOARDING FACILITIES
- Walworth Animal Hospital: Walworth, NY, 315.986-1616. Dogs, cats & ferrets.
- Williamson Animal Hospital: Williamson, NY, 315.589-8439. Dogs, cats, & birds.
- Countyline Animal Hospital: Ontario, N.Y. 585.265-0030. Dogs & cats.
- Macedon Veterinary Care: Macedon, N.Y. 315.986-4246. Dogs & cats.
- Humane Society of Wayne County: Lyons, N.Y. 315.946-3389. Dogs, cats & small domestic animals.
- Cracker Box Palace: Sodus, N.Y. 315.483-2493. Farm type animals, rabbits, and ferrets.
- Ledgewood Equine Veterinary Clinic: Ontario, N.Y. 315.524-4879. Horses
- Tailwaggers Boarding Kennel: Macedon, N.Y. 315.986-3934. Dogs
- Dun Travlin Ranch & Kennel: Williamson, N.Y. 315.589-2525. Dogs
- Camp Karmalita: Lyons, N.Y. 585-993-4754. Dogs
PET FRIENDLY HOTELS/MOTELS
- Holiday Inn, Auburn, NY 315.253-5000
- Super 8 Motel, Auburn, NY 315.253-8886
- Days Inn, Rochester, NY 585.334-9300
- Comfort Inn Central, Rochester, NY. 585.436-4400
- Holiday Inn, Rochester-Airport, Rochester, NY. 585.328-1012 or 585.328-6000.
- Ramada Inn, Rochester, NY. 585.475-9190 or 1-800-888-8102
- EconoLodge, Rochester, NY., 585.427-2700
- Comfort Inn & Suites, Seneca Fall, NY. 315.539-8438
- Holiday Inn Waterloo, Seneca Falls, NY. 315-539-5011 or 315.539-8355
- EconoLodge Canandaigua, Canandaigua, NY. 585.394-9000
- Motel 6, Geneva, NY. 315.789-4050
- Best Western Vineyard Inn & Suites, Penn Yan, NY. 315.536-8473
ADDITIONAL HELPFUL TIPS FOR PET EVACUATION EMERGENCIES
In the event that you are not at home when an evacuation order comes, make arrangements with a trusted neighbor in advance to bring your pets and meet you at a pre-arranged location
After returning home after a disaster/storm, don’t allow your pets to roam at large for a few days or until it is safe for them to do so. Sights, sounds, and smells, may be different after a disaster and be confusing to pets making it possible for them to get lost or wander off.
