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From tornadoes to floods to power outages, emergencies can strike at any time. Local authorities therefore advise preparing a plan and a kit, even for fur babies in a household.

The LaSalle Fire Department recently posted on of their own emergency kit. »

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Emergency Management Ontario recommends that all households develop an evacuation plan and emergency kit that takes into account the needs of children, people with disabilities, seniors and/or pets.

How to plan for an emergency?

The provincial organization says emergencies can arise due to a number of hazards or events, including floods, earthquakes, wildfires, extreme heat, a nuclear incident, power outage, tornado, sinkhole, pandemic and more.

“In the event of an emergency, your household may not be reunited or you may be asked to evacuate your home,” authorities said.

“Thinking about what you would do in different situations and making a plan with each member of your household is the first step to preparing. »

Each plan should include communication methods, evacuation routes, emergency numbers, utility shutoff procedures, and access to copies of important documents.

If a household member has a health condition or disability, the plan should reflect this, including copies of prescriptions and health care provider contact information.

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How to keep your pets safe?

Pet safety should be included in all emergency planning.

If an evacuation is necessary, Emergency Management Ontario officials say the best option is to take pets with you.

“Pets should not be left behind during an evacuation as they could be injured, lost or even killed as a result of the emergency,” officials said.

However, some evacuation centers may not accept pets, except for service animals, so check in advance.

Prepare an emergency kit for your pets in advance and bring it if an evacuation is necessary.

Where can you bring your pets?

It is recommended that pet owners research them in advance and review them periodically to ensure they are up to date.

Find a hotel or motel outside the immediate area where you live that has a policy of accepting pets in case of emergency.

Ask your friends or relatives if they would shelter the animals in case of an emergency.

Prepare a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians that provide shelter, and include a 24-hour phone number.

See if local animal shelters could help in an emergency, but consider it a last resort, officials said, because animal shelters have limited resources and would be very busy in an emergency.

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What should a pet emergency kit contain?

Officials recommend the following:

• food, drinking water, bowls, a paper towel and a can opener;
• a blanket and a small toy;
• heavy duty leash/harness;
• cat litter/pan (if necessary) and plastic bags;
• carrier for transporting pets;
• medications and medical records (including vaccinations);
• a current photo of the animal in case it gets lost;
• information about feeding schedules, medical or behavioral issues in case the animal needs rehoming;
• a current identification tag with your telephone number and your veterinarian’s name/phone number;
• copy of license (if necessary);
• muzzle (if necessary).

Also include a copy of the emergency evacuation information locations in the pet kit.

What should you do if you are not at home when an evacuation is necessary?

Authorities recommend asking a trusted neighbor for help.

Before an emergency, make arrangements with a neighbor to remove your pets in the event of an evacuation notice.

The person must have a key to your house and know where the pet emergency kit is located.

It is best if the person is familiar and comfortable with animals and knows where animals are likely to be found.

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Have a prearranged location to meet.

How can pets react to emergency situations?

Animals become anxious in emergencies.

If possible, keep your pet in a carrier with a familiar blanket to make him feel as safe as possible.

Never leave your pets alone, with strangers or without a leash, authorities advise. And remember, in an emergency, pets can be just as anxious as humans.

They may behave in distressed ways, including biting or running away and eventually getting lost.

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