One of the most inspiring moments in the awful aftermath of the tornado that struck Moore, Okla., came when a woman found her dog amid the rubble of her home during a television interview. There were other happy reunions after some Oklahoma City-area organizations set up a website to help reunite lost pets with their families. For other lost pets, shelters in the area opened their doors to take in displaced animals. These stories are reminders that natural disasters and emergencies affect our four-legged friends as much as ourselves.

 

Caring for pets during and after an emergency starts with making a plan before disaster strikes. But Danielle Tack, D.V.M., CDC preventive medicine fellow at the Georgia Department of Public Health and a veterinarian, said many people don't think about disaster plans for their pets until it's too late.

 

 "When people are planning for their families, they should include planning for their pets as part of that process as there are some additional considerations, just as there are for households with small children or people with medical conditions," Tack said.

 

Tack advises pet owners to take time to think about where they can seek shelter with their pet if staying at home becomes dangerous. Many hotels and shelters can't accommodate animals, so pet owners should spend time researching facilities that can or identify friends or family out of danger who can care for their pet. But if you plan to evacuate with Fluffy or Fido in tow, be sure to give yourself plenty of time.

 

"Traveling with a pet can be more complicated, so evacuating sooner than later might be best," Tack said.

 

Whether evacuating or riding out the storm at home, pet owners should be prepared to care for their pets without access to electricity, water or extra supplies for several days. That means making sure the family ready kit includes supplies that pets will need, such as:

• Food (with a manual can opener for canned food)
• Water (assume the same water usage for pets as for humans: one gallon per pet per day, Tack said.)
• Medicines and veterinary records
• Leashes and collars
• Blankets, crates and pet carriers
• Sanitary supplies, like garbage bags, paper towels and cat litter
• Favorite toys

Birds, reptiles and other exotic pets may need special items for food and shelter; owners should consult a veterinarian for tips on caring for these animals. For a complete list of supplies for your pet, visit www.ready.ga.gov.

 

While moving your pet out of harm's way is best, many disasters strike without much warning, leaving pets vulnerable to injury or at risk of being separated from their families. Tack said people should keep pets indoors during severe weather, if possible, and make sure the animals can be identified if they get lost or separated. It's good practice to make sure pets wear identification tags on their collars or get microchips implanted with current, updated information, including pet owners' name and contact information.

 

When Tack and her husband made their emergency plan, they included arrangements for Abbey, their 12-year-old, 60-pound mixed breed dog. Tack said her emergency kit includes supplies for Abbey, including her blanket and favorite toy.

 

 "Although my husband and I are both vets, we also keep phone numbers for veterinary clinics and emergency clinics on hand," she said. "We also have identified friends' homes and hotels where we could go with her if we need to evacuate. Should something happen when we are not at home, our neighbors know we have a dog and would check in to ensure she is safe."

 

Disasters can be just as stressful for animals as they are for humans. For pets who survive events like the Oklahoma tornado, it's important for families to care for their mental health along with their physical health.

 

 "Like people, pets can get stressed and, like us, they all cope differently and have different physiologic responses," Tack said.

 

Stressed animals can act withdrawn, become hyper, whine, bark or meow incessantly, and urinate or defecate inappropriately. Some also may become more likely to bite. These reactions are a normal response to stress for many animals, and usually stop after some time. If they don't, Tack said pet owners should consult their veterinarian.

 

Tack noted that people trying to help a lost or injured animal should get help from local authorities who are trained to work with animals. It's also a good idea to make sure pets are properly vaccinated for rabies to protect others if the animal gets loose.

 

To learn more about planning for pet care during an emergency or disaster, visit Ready Georgia's website.   

 

-Story by Carrie Gann, DPH Communications