by Jennifer Sharpe
Ice storms. Tornadoes. Wildfires.
In Oklahoma, those are just some of the natural disasters that could strike — that’s why we need to be prepared, and our disaster plans need to include our pets.
“A pet’s first line of defense in emergencies is a well-prepared owner,” said Susan Anderson, director of disaster response for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) national field response. “Ensuring that your household and pets are prepared now is an easy way to alleviate anxiety and reduce stress when disaster strikes and lessen the strain on local animal-welfare organizations that are already stretched thin.”
How You Can Prepare
First, Anderson recommends making sure all pets wear identification tags and have microchips with up-to-date contact information.
“Microchips are the most effective way to reunite lost pets and their owners,” said Rachel Findley, vice president of development for Oklahoma Humane Society. “We do always encourage people to microchip their pets, and if a stray pet is found, take it to a nearby shelter, rescue, or veterinary office to be scanned for a microchip.”
Your family’s emergency kit should include pet essentials too. Anderson recommends including your pet’s medical records, water, water bowls, food, and medications to last for at least seven to 10 days.
“If you evacuate from your home during a disaster, take your pets with you,” Anderson said. “Secure them safely in pet carriers and make sure you have collars and leashes to prevent them from escaping and getting lost. Carry a physical photo of you and your pet in case you get separated.”
How Shelters Aid Displaced Pets
When an area is affected by a tornado or other damaging severe weather, pet displacement is aways a concern, said Findley.
“Tornadoes and other disaster-causing events affect shelters near the disaster site by producing an influx of displaced animals into that local shelter,” she said. “While shelter capacity is typically utilized for homeless animals, it would be likely that lifesaving efforts for stray community animals would be put on hold as space is used for housing displaced owned pets until they can be reunited with their owners.”
Animal shelters, already stretched and underresourced, might be in need themselves after a major storm.
Shelters “must worry about the safety of their staff, volunteers, and animals in care,” said Sharon Hawa, senior manager of emergency services for Best Friends Animal Society. “Some municipal or contracted shelters may be tasked by their municipality to help with the staffing of temporary emergency pet shelters…. Some shelters may be tasked with animal search and rescue and some with the collection of strays.”
Oklahoma Humane Society occasionally works with the ASPCA and Humane Society of the United States (HSUS, which is not affiliated with Oklahoma Humane Society) to take in animals affected by natural disasters in other states, Findley said.
How You Can Help
One of the most impactful ways to help is to foster a pet.
“Taking a shelter pet home clears out a space in the shelter, which allows that shelter to save another life,” said Sophia Proler, south central director of Best Friends Animal Society, which covers Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma. “Fostering saves two lives at a time — the pet being fostered and the homeless pet who can take its place in the shelter until it can also be fostered or adopted.”
