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Disaster Preparedness Guide for Pet Owners

Planning ahead is a crucial step to ensuring your family’s safety in the event of a hurricane.  It is also important to include arrangements for your pets in your disaster plan.  Most boarding kennels close and evacuate in the event of an emergency.  Those who don’t may not be safe locations for your pets, especially if the proprietor is unable to reach the kennel for several days after the storm.  This information is intended as a guide in planning for a possible evacuation.  Keep it with your emergency supplies for disaster preparedness.

Protect Your Pet 

Plan ahead to evacuate and take your pets with you.  Visit friends or relatives who will let your pets come along or who live near boarding kennels.  If you don’t have friends or relative to stay with, call these pet friendly hotels and make a reservation.  A Charleston Emergency/Disaster animal shelter for people and their pets will be located at the North Charleston Coliseum.  The disaster shelter should be considered as a last resort.  Owners will be required to bring supplies for themselves and their pets.  (See equipment checklist.)

Tips

• Make sure that you are familiar with setting up the kennel or crate and that your pet is familiar with being confined in it.

• If your pet is nervous, cover the kennel with a towel during the height of the storm.

• Grocery store plastic bags make excellent pooper scoopers.

• Avoid excess/bulky bedding, as it may become soiled and difficult to clean during a disaster.

• Keep your pet leashed or confined at all times to avoid loss or injury.

• Remember that your pet may be nervous and frightened and may act differently than usual.  Avoid excess contact with strange people and pets to avoid any bites or fights.  Even pets who are usually very friendly will defend themselves if they are stressed and feel threatened.

Important Numbers

Charleston County Emergency Preparedness Department: 843.202.7400 or 843.740.6400

Berkeley County Emergency Preparedness Department: 843.723.3800 or 843.832.0341

Pet Friendly Hotels

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Pet First Aid

Always handle an injured animal with care.  Cats should be held by the nape of the neck or wrapped securely in a towel.  Dogs should wear a muzzle. (a leash can be wrapped around the nose)  Always consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.

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First Aid Kit

Store these items in a watertight container along with all medical records and medications for your pets.  Do NOT give any pain medication to cats.  Dogs can be given ½ to 1 aspirin twice daily for pain for a maximum of three days and should be used with caution as some dogs can get gastric upset from aspirin.  Always consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.

• Sterile gauze pads               

• Clean Roll bandage

• Bandage Tape     

• Scissors

• Tweezers

• Instant Cold Pack

• Antibiotic Ointment

• Cortisone/antibiotic Ointment