Disasters can strike at any given moment in life, and usually, people can never expect when these disasters are going to happen. Disasters that can strike include such massive calamities like earthquakes, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, and landslides. While many people mostly focus on the people in their families and taking care of them during disasters, pets are seen by many as members of the family also. As such, disaster preparations need to include planning for pets, too.
During A Disaster
Pets should not be left at home during a disaster because they will more than likely die, seeing as how they won’t be able to survive on their own. Even if pets should survive, it will be hard to locate them again when families return to their devastated homes. During a disaster, pet owners should bring their pets in as fast and soon as they can. They should also change their pets’ diets to consist mainly of moist food or canned food, so that pets won’t need that much to drink.
Never tie up a pet outside during a disaster or leave them outside. Since pets may isolate themselves before a disaster strikes because of their instincts regarding the severe and upcoming changes in weather, bring them inside to prevent them from running away. During a disaster, pets have a tendency to get anxious, so it is advised that pet owners separate them during the course of the disaster so they can’t hurt themselves. Pet owners of birds will want to explore how to take their birds with them. To accomplish this, owners should consult with their veterinarians to see how special food dispensers, keeping a cage secured, and keeping a cage covered are all ways to help a bird survive a disaster.
After A Disaster
After a disaster, pet owners will want to keep an eye on their pets since they still may be a little bit high-strung from the effects of the emergency. For instance, pet owners are advised to leash their pets when they emerge outside. It is also recommended that pet owners keep quite close contact with their pets because pets might become lost or confused more easily due to the alteration of familiar landmarks and scents. In addition, pets may experience both behavioral and psychological changes after a disaster has passed. This may include such manifestations as higher defensiveness or aggression in pets that previously were known to be tame, friendly, and quiet. To counteract this, pet owners should observe their pets more closely, and they should also leash dogs and cage them inside a fenced-in yard that has water and shelter.
The below links have more information about how to help your pet thru a disaster:
United Animal Nations (Pet Disaster Preparedness)
ASPCA Pet Care (Disaster Preparedness)
American Red Cross (Pet Disaster Preparedness & Recovery)