Everyone loves their pets. If you have a dog, cat, horse, or even a single fish, you know how important these animals can be to our family’s happiness and security. We feel better having a pet (or two) around, and most of us feel that our pet is an important member of the family.
Pets need to be protected, just like other family members.
Pets are depending on us to help keep them safe, and to know what to do in the event one of them is injured or needs help. In the event of a wildfire, earthquake, or other disaster, protecting pets should be part of “the plan.”
The first thing to do is to download our Pet Emergency Safety Checklist.
You can learn more about protecting your pet via the California Animal Response Emergency System. Get the brochure here!
If your home is involved in a fire, immediately exit the home, following your “family escape plan” and coordinate everyone arriving at your “safe meeting place.” If your pet doesn’t come with you — DO NOT GO BACK IN THE HOUSE. Tell firefighters about your pet(s), and they’ll rescue them. Firefighters receive training about pet rescue, as well as basic pet EMS.
Watch how the family dog Franklin warns his young partner Ben and family to “Get Low and Go” to escape a house fire!
Everyone should make an emergency kit for themselves in the event of a disaster. Pets deserve a kit, too, and making one is easy. Keep one in the house, close by to your overall pet supplies.
Suggested GO Kit contents:
Food and Water
Buddy Contacts
First Aid Kit
Sanitation
Happy Items
Medicines and Medical Records
Collar with ID Tag, Harness or Leash
Crate/Pet Carrier
A Photo of You and Your Pet
Use these resources to provide care for your pets. These resources are active as of March 2020. Check online for an updated list, if a resource doesn’t work for you.
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