Keep your pet in mind when putting together your emergency plan.  Include a pet emergency kit, arrangements for evacuation and alternate housing. Remember that your pets will likely find a disaster quite disturbing.

Your Pet's Emergency Kit Should Include:

• first aid kit (purchased from your veterinarian or put together yourself)
• an adequate supply of food and water (remember to change this every few months just as you do for your family's water supplies)
• plastic or fibreglass travel kennel with a sturdy locking mechanism for evacuation
• manual can opener, water dish and paper plates (to put pet food on)
• blankets and towels
• extra leash, collar or harness
• paper towels and plastic bags to use for cleaning up after your pet
• a one week supply of medication rotated as you would for prescriptions for your family members
• a current colour picture of your pet and a record of the tattoo, inoculation numbers, microchip or licence number to assist with the identification process (a copy of this information should also be kept in your wallet)

 Your Pet and Reception Centres

If you are forced to evacuate your home with your family and pets in the wave of an emergency or a disaster, you may be asked to register at a local Reception Centre. If you have pets with you, please do not bring them into the reception centre (due to Red Cross regulations) but leave them in your vehicle as long as it is safe to do so. You may also ask someone to look after them as you register with the local Emergency Social Services team.

Let team members know that you have your pet(s) with you and the Pet Services Care services team coordinator will be able to offer you assistance and information as to where you can board your pet(s).  There may also be temporary holding areas for pets.

Make arrangements in advance for friends or family to board your pet(s) if possible.  There are many local commercial pet-boarding kennels and you may wish to identify a suitable kennel before a disaster or emergency occurs.  It is very important to have your pet's vaccinations up to date as communicable diseases can be spread in locations where many animals are congregated together.