How to Protect Your Pets During Hurricane Irene

When making hurricance preparedness kits and plans, residents are urged to prepare to evacuate and care for their pets, as well as themselves.

The Potter League for Animals, Aquidneck Island's only animal shelter, has prepared a full checklist of items that pet owners should prepare in case of emergency. The flyer may be viewed or printed here at right.

Perhaps the most important recommendation is to not wait until the last minute to make plans. If an evacuation is required, it is important that you take pets with you, as storm damaged homes can give pets the opportunity to escape homes, suffer injury, or become lost.

Evacuating With Pets

First, make sure you have enough food and water for the pet for a week. Experts recommend one gallon per day per animal.

When transporting your animals, cats and other smaller animals should be in a carrier with a blanket. Dogs should be put in a carrier or crate with a pad or blanket. All of the commotion that comes along with a hurricane can cause a lot of stress to your pets, say Potter League experts, so be sure to make the experience as comfortable as possible for them.

Pat Heller, the Potter League's Director of Development & Outreach, suggested that while riding in the car, bring along favorite toys and familiar blankets that your pet already knows and uses. It's also important to speak calmly to your pet in order to help them remain calm. If you have a particularly nervous pet, Heller recommends speaking to your veterinarian about the use of sedatives.

Finding Pet-Friendly Shelter

It is also important to know where you would go with your pets, should the need to evacuate arise. Because most emergency shelters don't allow pets and all hotels do not accept pets, Heller recommends doing research on hotels that accept pets before the storm arrives.

Once you find that hotel, consider making that reservation in advance if you think there's a good chance you will need to evacuate.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) also recommends the following:

• Check with friends, family, or others outside your immediate area.  Ask if they would be able to shelter you and your animals.  If you have more than one pet, you might have to be prepared to board them in separate households.

• Make a list of kennels or other boarding facilities that might be able to shelter animals in emergencies. Include 24-hour telephone numbers.

• Be sure that a “buddy” – someone far enough away to be safe in an emergency that affects you – knows about your animals and plans for them.

Keep the Pet Safe

Should you remain in the storm damaged area with any debris or flood water, it is important to have any pets under your control with the use of a lead so that their paws are not injured and they do not get into anything dangerous.   

In a worst-case scenario, if there is no option but to leave your pet behind, the pet should be secured on the highest level of the building in a room that preferably has no windows but ample ventilation, such as a bathroom. The Potter League recommends you leave at least four days worth of food and several containers of water in this scenario.

Also, don't forget to leave your pets' toys and blankets that will make them more comfortable.

Pet IDs

Lastly, make sure your pet is wearing a collar with tags including all of your contact information should you get separated from them. The Potter League also highly recommends micro-chipping pets to ensure that any shelter or veterinarian can reconnect your pet with you even if your pet's collar comes off.

For more information

• For a complete list of recommendations for preparing your pets for evacuation or disaster, see the attached list from the Potter League for Animals, and remember that the time to make preparations is before there is an imminent threat.
• Additional information and advice for animal owners facing a disaster such as a severe storm or emergency evacuation, including advice on specific types of animals and preparing ID Packs and Go Kits, is available online on the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management's website at www.dem.ri.gov/animals.
• Check out the RI Disaster Animal Response Team’s website at www.ridart.org.