Earlier in his career, Dr. Kwane Stewart – our Chief Vet and the founder of Project Street Vet – led the Red Star relief program for American Humane, an organization with a decades long history of rescuing, sheltering, and caring for animals in the wake of natural disasters.
We asked Dr. Kwane to share his tips for pet parents who live in common disaster areas – and what to do if you’re caught off guard. “It all comes down to preparation,” Kwane says. “A lot of the information is common sense, but during a disaster, people often forget the simplest things. Being prepared in advance is so important.” Here are Kwane’s tips:
• Follow the advice of the authorities. If they are recommending evacuation, it’s important to take those directives seriously.
• If you live in a disaster prone area, keep a duffel bag packed with supplies just for your pets: food, toys, leashes, bowls, medication. Check on it every six months and replace the food or anything that needs to be switched out.
• If you don’t have a bag ready to go, the most important items to bring are pet food and a leash. Those need to go with your pet, and it's a bonus if you can take a blanket or a toy that's comforting to them, or any calming medication they may have.
• In the event you can't evacuate with your pet, it’s important that you don't cage or tether them if they're left at home. Place a sign on the front of your house or the window that alerts people that there are pets on the premises.
