Severe weather can strike at any time. September is National Preparedness Month. It’s a great reminder to make plans to keep your family and your animals safe during emergencies. From hurricanes and flooding to severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and extreme heat, having a plan for the animals in your care can make all the difference.
Here are a few preparedness tips from Dean Steven Marks.
Know your Plan B: Identify pet-friendly lodging, shelters and veterinary clinics outside your immediate area before an evacuation is necessary. If you have large animals, make sure you can easily access a safe trailer for transport.
Think beyond small pets: For horses and livestock, know which pastures are safest during severe weather, where animals could be moved if needed and how you’ll transport them. Ensure they can still access food and fresh water.
Keep an animal emergency info file: Store current photos, vaccination and medical records, medication lists, microchip information and important veterinary contacts where you can access them quickly.
Prepare for power outages: Have backup plans for water pumps, refrigeration of medications and other equipment your animals depend on. Solar or gas generators can be great options to run larger items.
Practice before the emergency: Get animals comfortable with carriers, trailers and vehicles and make sure pets and livestock can be safely handled and moved before you actually need to evacuate.
Shelter in Place: Make plans to have extra food, water, medicine and other essentials for at least several days if it’s safer for your pets and family to shelter at home.
“At the Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine, preparing veterinarians to serve South Carolina means understanding the needs of every animal and that includes beloved family pets and the livestock that help sustain our state,” said Marks. “Because when severe weather arrives, preparedness is part of responsible animal care.”
