Every family should have plans in place for dealing with emergencies — and in households with pets, the animals should be included in those plans.
To assist pet owners with getting their furry friends into their emergency response plans, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and other local emergency management agencies have joined to provide valuable information.
“Pets are beloved members of many families these days,” IEMA director James Joseph said. “That’s why it’s so important to include your pet’s needs when developing your family emergency plan and stocking your emergency supply kit.”
This means packing emergency kits for not just the human members of a family, but also for dogs, cats or other pets. Recommended items that should be included in these kits are three-days supplies of food and bottled water (make sure to pack a can opener for wet food in cans); extra medications pets are taking or may need; copies of pets' registration papers, vaccine records and other identifying or veterinary documents; photos of pets in case they become lost or separated from their owners; extra collars with ID tags and a harness or leash; and toys, treats or other familiar items that can be used to comfort pets.
Additionally, pet owners should keep a pet crate or carrier near the kit in the event that they should have to evacuate their home. Pet owners must remember that evacuations can last days or weeks, and pets left behind may not survive.
It is recommended that pet owners speak to friends or neighbors to make emergency plans for pets if they are going to be out of town.
More information and suggestions for making pets part of family emergency preparedness plans are available online at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.
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