Is Your Pet Prepared?
Is Your Pet Prepared?
June not only marks the start of hurricane season but also National Pet Preparedness Month. As we move into a time of year with turbulent weather – severe storms, flooding, and heat waves – let’s take a moment to highlight how you can be best prepared if a natural disaster strikes.
Plan Ahead
Think about where you would go if you had to evacuate your home and remember to consider your pet as well. A pre-packed emergency bag, or “evac pack”, that you can quickly grab will allow you to continue to care for your pet while you determine your next move. Refer to the infographic from FEMA below for a handy reference. Essentially, it is smart to include 7 days of food and water, medication, leash and collar with identification information, blankets and toys/chews, plastic bags for easy cleanups, medical records with current contact information, and a first aid kit. Additionally, have current photos readily available in case you get separated from your pet and need to post to social media. Keep in mind that your phone and other electronic devices may run out of power and local utilities can be affected by severe weather. At Social Pet, we keep a fully-stocked first aid kit. It’s ready to go as needs arise for our daycare or boarding pups. Our staff is fully trained in CPR and First Aid through PetTech’s comprehensive program and would be happy to advise you or answer any questions.
Homebound Help
In a case where you are stuck at home, plan some activities to help keep cabin fever at bay for you and your pup. Use this time as an opportunity to teach new tricks or pull out a treat puzzle for your dog to engage with. Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise, and this will both entertain them and tire them out. If your dog is prone to anxiety, have a Thundershirt or calming chews easily accessible. Additionally, in the case of a severe storm where downed trees or power lines make going outside dangerous or impossible, set up a “potty area” with housebreaking pads and have cleaning supplies on-hand just in case.
Power Struggles
Short-term power outages may be a mere inconvenience but longer blackouts during the summer can lead to dangerous conditions for dogs prone to overheating. Have a plan in place for where you and your pet can go in case you need extended stay housing. A friend or family member may offer a place to stay or a pet-friendly hotel could be another good option. At Social Pet, we have spacious, comfortable accommodations with back-up generator power plan and evacuation procedures in-place so you know your dog will be in good hands.
At Social Pet, we conduct safety training monthly so our staff knows how to deal with emergency situations. We have evacuation plans in place in case of a fire and we also train for situations, such as severe weather, where we may have to bring our dogs indoors from their typical playtime. If you haven’t signed up for a text messages, which are used to quickly alert parents of important information, please call us at 704-835-1022 to find out how to join out list. As always, we’re happy to partner with you in the health and well-being of your pet!