Preparing an Emergency Plan
- Include a floor plan or diagram of your kennel and/or home that clearly shows the location of all fire extinguishers, escape routes, and “safe” places to take dogs during natural disasters (such as a basement or inner room during a tornado)
- Make a step-by-step plan as to how dogs should be protected and/or evacuated during various types of emergencies.
- Train all family members and staff on the disaster plan
- Hold regularly scheduled emergency “take cover” and evacuation drills.
- Take a course in human and pet CPR and first-aid or assign a staff member to take this training.
- Have emergency contact and medical information on file for all staff and all dogs.
- Remember – health and human safety comes first. You cannot help your dogs if you are injured. Call 911 and then put your emergency plan into action.
Know Your Resources
Develop a list of these groups and their local contact information and post in your kennel and/or home.
Government Agencies
- FEMA
- American Red Cross
- State SART Agency
Local Resources
- Police/Fire Departments
- Nearest Hospital/Urgent Care
- Veterinarian
- Shelters/Pet Boarding Facilities
AKC Clubs/AKC Pet Disaster Relief
Importance of Dog Records
One of the saddest, but most common occurrences during disasters is that dogs become separated and lost from their owners.
- Make sure all of your dogs are identified with a collar and tag and or microchip or tattoo.
- Have a master list of all your dogs at your home or kennel. Include their identification numbers/tag or microchip numbers; a description; and a recent photograph. Save a copy to your cellular telephone in case you lose your hard copy.
- Invest in a microchip scanner.
- In the case of an evacuation, try to mark all crates/carriers with the dog’s identification.
Planning for Evacuation
- Dog Transport: Stock adequate leashes, collars and crates necessary for transport. Make sure crates have secure doors and latches and try to have dog identification on each crate.
- Make sure you can fit your dogs into your vehicles if necessary. If not, make arrangements with friends, family and/or community volunteers who can help you evacuate your dogs.
- Look for places that could house your dogs for an extended period of time, if needed, such as family or friend’s homes, boarding kennels, or veterinary offices.
- Keep extra dog food and bottled water in supply.
Suggested Emergency and/or Evacuation Kit Supplies
- Pet First Aid Kit
- Human First Aid Kit
- Flashlight
- Blankets
- Towels
- Disinfectant (wipes, liquid soap, bleach)
- Baby wipes
- Water and food dishes
- Microchip scanner
- Pet food with minimum 5-day supply
- Bottled water – 10 gallon minimum for every 5 dogs
- Water filtration tablets
- Leashes, collars, crates
- Crate/carrier identification tags
- Consider installing a generator for use during power outages.
- For cold weather emergencies: portable heaters, space blankets, dog coats
- For hot weather emergencies: battery powered fans, cool coats, cool pads