May 8, 2024 –
In an emergency, your pet will rely on you to stay safe. As we honor National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day – May 8, 2024 – we want to take a moment to share some ideas on how to keep you and your pets/animals safe in the event of an emergency. The very first step? You’re doing it right now! Thinking about how to prepare for an emergency before it even happens is crucial to navigating a sudden chain of events successfully. Be prepared, plan ahead, and stay informed.
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Be Prepared
Emergencies come in many forms, and they may require a brief absence or permanent evacuation from your home. The best thing you can do for your pets and animals is to be ready. Use the checklist below and create a pet emergency kit that is readily available near an exit in your home. From carriers to food, ensure you have everything you and your pet/animal will need when evacuation is a priority. Once completed, keep a copy of this checklist in your pet emergency kit.
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Checklist
- Pet food and water for at least three days
- Treats
- Can opener, spoons
- Bowls
- Medications
- Copies of up-to-date vaccination records
- Collars with tags and/or microchip information
- Photo of you with your pet (both digital and paper)
- Cat litter and litter pan
- Poop scooper/bags
- Pet first aid kit
- Bedding
- Toys
- Leashes or harnesses
- Leather gloves and towels (for handling upset pets)
- Grooming supplies
- Spray cleaner/disinfectant and paper towels
- Alcohol based hand sanitizer
- Other (add your own items)
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Plan Ahead
Pet Emergency Sticker
If you are not home during an evacuation, posting a pet emergency sticker outside your front door will allow law enforcement to know what and how many pets need assistance. Need a sticker? Stop by either of our campuses and get one for free!
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Pet Friendly Housing
In the event you need to separate from your pet(s), identify boarding facilities that could care for them. Please know that our Larimer and Weld campuses will welcome and care for your pet during an emergency.
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Develop a Buddy System
Coordinate with neighbors, friends, or family members to ensure your pets will be taken care of in case you are unable to.
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License Your Pet
Pet licenses are not only the law, they are your pet’s fastest ticket home should they become lost. Visit nocohumane.org to purchase/renew your pet’s license.
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Microchip Your Pet
Microchipping is an important safeguard to increase the likelihood your pet is returned to you if they become lost. NOCO Humane provides this service at both of its shelter campuses.
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Keep Important Information on Hand
Similar to the supplies checklist, prepare a list of information and contacts that will be most useful when an emergency hits. Some examples are:
- Emergency contacts (veterinarian, animal control, friends/family, neighbors)
- Evacuation plan details (prepare a list of guided steps to help anchor your actions for when you may be in stress)
- Pet shelter options (local animal shelter, pet-friendly hotels, pet boarding facilities, friends/family)
- Feel free to add anything useful to you
Stay Informed
The sooner you can respond to an emergency the better. Stay attuned to disasters that are likely to affect your region – that way you are not caught off guard. Also, consult with your veterinarian on how to best meet your pet’s species-specific needs in times of chaos and stress.
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Thank you for taking the time to keeping your pets safe. If you have any further questions, please feel free to visit or call either of our shelter campuses. Contact info located in the footage of this webpage.
