Texas is at risk of floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, winter storms, and power outages. If you have pets, you should have a plan in place for protecting or evacuating your pet during a natural disaster. As you design an emergency evacuation plan for the humans in your household, you should be thinking about how to keep your pets safe as well. Here is how you prepare your pet for a natural disaster or evacuation in Katy, TX.
Identify Emergency Shelters in Your Area that Accept Pets
First, identify the emergency shelters in your area that accept pets. You should also find nearby hotels that are pet-friendly or make a plan with friends and family who live outside the evacuation area for your city.
Talk to Your Veterinarian and Local Emergency Veterinary Clinic
Next, talk to your pets’ veterinarian. Ask for recommendations for items to include in your pet emergency kit. Find out if you need to stock up on medications or medical supplies to keep in the kit in case of an evacuation or emergency. Then talk to someone at your local emergency veterinary clinic. Get information on how to handle a pet illness or injury and get pet emergency services during a natural disaster. Find out if the hospital or clinic stays open during disasters, and what plan they have in place for the animals in their care if an evacuation order is issued.
Assemble Your Pet Emergency Kit
Use your veterinarian’s advice to assemble your pet emergency kit. Include necessary medication and medical supplies like bandages, antiseptics, gauze, splints, tourniquets, and more. Include a folding pet carrier, leashes, collars, food, treats, and toys. Also include copies of your pet’s identification or licensing documents and medical records.
Create Your Evacuation Route
Next, you want to plan your evacuation route. Review the information provided by the city of Katy and determine what evacuation routes and shelters are recommended. Know your zone so that if the city or county issues an evacuation order, you understand the risk and timeline. The Harris County Office of Emergency Management has also created a helpful interactive evacuation map on its website that allows you to check evacuation zones.
Communicate Your Plan with Neighbors, Friends, and Relatives
Finally, you should make sure that neighbors, friends, and relatives are aware of your evacuation plan. If you aren’t home when disaster strikes, you need to know that someone else will safely evacuate your pets for you.
Schedule a Wellness Checkup with Your Pet’s Veterinarian
At All Pets Animal Hospital, we specialize in routine veterinary services and pet wellness care in Katy, TX. We can perform a check-up and provide wellness services, including vaccines, nutrition assistance, preventive care, and more. We will ensure you’re aware of your pet’s overall health so that you can better plan for a natural disaster, emergency, or evacuation. Call us now or book an appointment online.