By Erin Lawson, Operations Director
You may not think a natural disaster will happen to you, but you can never be too prepared in case the unthinkable happens. Ohio sees its fair share of emergencies, from tornadoes and flash flooding to severe winter storms, house fires, and chemical spills, and any of them can force you and your pets with little warning. It’s important to have a plan in place, and Fire Help Center’s Wildfire Preparedness Guide for Pets & Animals can help you create one.
Preparation is critical. Here are just a few ways to build a pet-friendly preparedness plan:
Gather a bag of your pet’s supplies in case you have to evacuate suddenly, including food, water, medications (if applicable) and plan for evacuation (Fire Help Center has a full list of recommended items here)
Keep your pet’s medical records and identification handy.
Plan for livestock and horses. They take more time to evacuate, so make special arrangements for them.
Be ready for power outages.
Decide where you’ll take your pets if you have to evacuate. Many public shelters do not accept pets.
Learn what to do for your specific type of pet (bird, rabbit, cat, dog, etc.), even if the fire is miles away.
Another important consideration is making sure your pet is microchipped and the information is up to date. And, if your pet wears a tag on their collar, ensure your contact information is current as well. This is the best way to be reunited with your pet if you are separated, which happens more often during emergency situations due to stress.
Finally, practice your evacuation plan. Rehearsing it builds familiarity with a chaotic process and can reduce stress for both people and animals when it matters
Get Involved
1. Read Fire Help Center’s full resource guide here to set you and your family up for success.
2. We know it’s important for families to stay with their pets or at least know they’re in a safe place during times of crisis, which is why OAA has a list of resources for those who need them, learn more.
3. Do you know a pet-friendly shelter or other resource in your county? We want to hear from you! Consider joining our volunteer team.
4. Help OAA make a difference by making a donation.
5. Share this update and your completed action alert with friends and family!
6. Subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive animal welfare related news and resources in Ohio straight to your inbox.
