Southern California is subject to a number of different natural disasters such as wildfire, floods and earthquakes. Other emergencies such as power outages, extreme temperatures, and other events can disrupt normal activities. The best way to protect your pets is to ensure you are prepared for these situations.
During a disaster, you may be asked to evacuate your home for days, weeks, or even permanently. Do not leave your pets behind. While OC Animal Care may be able to assist during emergencies, the safety and care of pets is ultimately the owner’s responsibility. Be prepared and protect your pets by adding them to your evacuation plans.
Don’t know where to start? OC Animal Care designed infographics with animal owners in mind to help with evacuation planning and ensure your pets remain safe during disasters and emergencies. Please note, it’s particularly important special considerations be made for horses and other large animals.
While OC Animal Care may be able to assist in times of disaster, it’s important to understand that, ultimately, animal owners are responsible for the evacuation and sheltering of their pets. For this reason, pets should be included in your evacuation plans. Equally important is that you practice and routinely update those plans.
Some things to consider when planning are:
- Develop an evacuation plan that includes at least two different evacuation routes.
- To limit a pet’s stress, make sure your pets are trained to enter a crate or cage comfortably.
- Maintain a go bag for each pet that includes vaccination and other important medical records, medications, food, and essential supplies that your animals need for daily care, etc.
Utilize the evacuation checklists below and be prepared for any emergency that comes your way.
