It’s a month into Hurricane Season here in Florida and we have not done anything to prepare. Though we haven’t been hit with a hurricane in over 10 years, being complacent about preparing for one is just not smart. We are starting late but we are getting prepared now for ourselves and for Oz.
This post is sponsored by Sleepypod. I am being compensated for spreading awareness of Sleepypod products and pet travel safety but Oz the Terrier only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Sleepypod is not responsible for the content of this article.
Even if you are lucky enough to live beyond the reach of a hurricane, the things we do here to prepare for one can help anyone be prepared for a natural disaster or emergency.
Preparing Your Pet for a Hurricane, Natural Disaster or Emergency
1. Always make sure your pet has an updated I.D. Oz has been microchipped but I also attach an identification tag to each of his harnesses. Oz also has a customized Hot Dog Collar with his name and my cell phone number.
2. Prepare a Go-Bag for your pet just like you would for yourself. Oz has his own backpack filled with the supplies we would need in case of evacuation. The bag holds a pet first aid kit, bowls for food and water, 3-day supply of food (we pack freeze-dried), an additional harness and leash, poop-bags, toys, a blanket/bed and his health certificate.
3. Always check to see if your nearest emergency shelter accepts pets before a disaster or emergency. If you plan to leave and stay at a hotel, do the same thing prior to any disaster or emergency especially if you do not want to be separated from your pet.
4. If you evacuate by car, be sure to secure your pet in the vehicle in case of an accident. That could mean placing your pet in a crate, soft carrier or using a travel safety harness. Oz always uses his Sleepypod Clickit Sport pet travel safety harness whenever we are in the car and we would most certainly make him where it during an evacuation.
5. If hunkering down at home, stock up on the pet supplies you would need such as food, enough water for 5 days (in addition to the 5 days of water for yourself), treats, poop bags, kitty litter and/or pee pads (if your dog has been trained to use them – during a disaster is not the time to try and train a dog to use a pee pad!).
6. Also, if staying at home be sure to create a safe place for your pet. We move Oz’s crate into the area of the house where we spend the most time during a hurricane so he can use it as his quiet place while still in view of us.
I was fortunate to learn even more about Pet Preparedness from Hill’s Pet while attending the 2016 BlogPaws Conference. During a luncheon, Hill’s shared their “Can You Take Care of Your Pet in an Emergency” infographic (CLICK HERE to view infographic) and introduced us to a Pet Emergency Responder from the Arizona Humane Society. It kicked my butt in gear to get our hurricane supplies in order right away.
Are you and your pet prepared for a disaster or emergency?
that are great tips Oz... we always should have a sos-ration of pet supplies... there are so much things around us what can make it impawsible to drive to a store... we had this case some weeks ago with a complete blackout of internet/intranet for one day ... there we were with our cards and non working atm's and no card accepting checkout points in the stores...
ReplyDeleteOur local CDMART helped us get prepared. They work with the local shelters to help families find places for their dogs during disasters. We also got a kit to help us get prepared.
ReplyDeleteWe don't get hurricanes in the northern part of Texas but we do have to deal with tornadoes and mom make sure our storm shelter is stocked with everything we might need to ride out a storm. I hope y'all don't have to worry about any hurricanes this year but I'm glad y'all are prepared if you do.
ReplyDeleteAroo to you,
Sully
Being in Kansas, we don't have to worry about hurricanes, but we do have emergency plans for tornadoes! It's always good to have a plan in place!
ReplyDeleteCammie!
Such great tips Oz!!!
ReplyDeleteSmileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
Hope you all don't have any hurricanes for at least another ten years.
ReplyDeleteWe need to get a preparedness box ready. Thanks for a good post
ReplyDeleteSnorts,
Lily & Edward
We are sort of prepared with some of my stuff in Mom's travel backpack. You are right. I should have my own bag. We need to step it up.
ReplyDeleteLove and licks,
Cupcake
Great points! We're lucky that we're in a sort of no major emergency zone. But we're always reading about animals that get lost during emergencies. It would be nice if people planned.
ReplyDeleteour biggest threat is loss of power do to either thunderstorms or winter blizzards.
ReplyDeleteGotta be prepared!
hugs
Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel
Ringy Dingy One ... Oz The Great & Powerful ~ Lee says in case of an emergency it's both of us going together or we don't go. Yep I am stocked up on emergency supplies. Like Mabel, Hazel and Mr Bailey our greatest fear is loss of power in the winter. Lee checked into a whole house generator, you know what those things cost. Well we might freeze like popsicles but that is the only thing Lee cannot make right. Why in case of her death she knows the two bloggers who will take me and she has told me I will be O.K.
ReplyDeleteHave a Safe Happy 4th of July Oz.
Sweet William The Scot
We have a quick grab bag for the boys but it needs to be updated since our road trip. Thanks for the reminder, Oz ♥
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips, I hope no hurricanes hit ever.
ReplyDeleteI hope the emergency plans would not be in use (hurricane will hit). Those are really great emergency plans. Though we don't have hurricanes in my place, I always make sure to prepare the things needed when there'd be an unexpected event. I have my emergency doggy bag with my packed with leash, important papers, medications, treats and foods, water and others important stuffs.
ReplyDeleteGreat suggestions. While it's unlikely that we'll get any hurricanes up here in the Pacific Northwest, a good earthquake is definitely a possibility so your suggestions are useful. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteExcellent tips, but we sure hope you won't need to use them.
ReplyDelete