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Resources

Make a Disaster Preparedness Plan

Pre-planning is the key!

  • Make arrangements with a neighbor or family member in case something happens when you’re not home.  Have a set location to meet when it is safe.  Make sure they have a key to your home and your veterinarian's name and phone number.
  • Post a “PETS INSIDE” sign with emergency contact information on doors.
  • Figure out where your pets could stay if you had to evacuate, with friends or family, a pet-friendly hotel, a kennel, veterinary hospital, or an emergency shelter.  Remember, many human shelters don’t take pets.
  • Teach your dog to walk quietly on a leash.  Reinforce the training frequently.
  • Cats should be familiar with their carriers.
  • Practice ‘fire drills’ at home.
Pet Emergency Kit Graphic

Prepare a Pet Emergency Kit

  • ID tags, collars & microchip numbers
  • Leashes, harnesses
  • Plastic carriers for small dogs and cats
  • Pet food & water
  • Food & water bowls
  • Pet medications
  • Litterbox & litter
  • Poop bags
  • Bedding
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Toys or comfort items
  • Copies of medical and vaccination records and current photographs
  • Contact information for: your veterinarian, a relative or alternate care-taker, and an out-of-area emergency contact

For more resources, visit Ready.gov/pets, or download their checklist in English or Spanish.

Be Informed

Learn what disasters we should prepare for in San Luis Obispo County at www.slocounty.ca.gov/OES.htm. Find up-to-date emergency information such as road closures, evacuation orders, and advisories at www.emergencyslo.org. 

WHEN DISASTER STRIKES

  • Check all your supplies and put them in one central location.  If you need to leave quickly you don’t want to be searching for supplies.
  • Bring your pets indoors and confine them in a small, comfortable area where you can reach them easily.
  • Check your evacuation route and confirm your shelter arrangements. Make your accommodation plans far in advance and have your route and places to stay arranged.

IF YOU EVACUATE...

  • Take all your pets
  • Make sure pets are safely contained
  • All pets must wear identification
  • Take your emergency supplies—including water
  • Allow plenty of time if you have to trailer livestock and horses out of evacuation zones.

IF YOU SHELTER IN PLACE…

  • Keep your pets indoors—preferably in their carriers and on leashes.
  • Keep them in an interior, safe room—away from windows.
  • Make sure they wear current identification!

AFTER THE EMERGENCY

  • Keep your pets safely confined. 
  • Check your home and fence for damage. Loose fences may not properly confine a frightened, disoriented pet.  Damaged windows could injure or allow escape. 

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS?

Remember, disruption of regular routines is stressful for pets as well as people. You may notice behavioral changes, loss of appetite, or other signs of stress.  If problems persist or become worrisome, contact your veterinarian.

Adapted from pet resources material created by Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services, Houston, Texas.

The information above is available in a brochure that you can download.

In the event of a local large-scale disaster that would require residents to evacuate from their homes, Woods Humane Society, as a participating agency in VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) will work closely with County Animal Services to care for the needs of small animals* in our county.  

*HEET (Horse Emergency Evacuation Team) will take the lead in providing services for large animals.
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