You need to prepare in advance to make sure your furry friends survive an emergency like a fire or flood.
That’s from Jennifer Bluhm, the Vice President of Community Outreach Services for the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.
May 7th through 13th marks Emergency Preparedness Week, an annual campaign to encourage people to plan for their safety, and the SPCA has put out some advice for people with pets.
“We urge people to take the time to plan for the unexpected,” Bluhm says. “By having a plan in place and the necessary emergency supplies to shelter in place, you will be in a better position to help the ones you love, including your pets.”
You can take steps to keep your pet safe by making sure they’re wearing a collar with your phone number on it, getting your pets microchipped, and posting an emergency decal on your front door so first responders know what pets are inside your home.
You should also have an emergency kit on hand with everything your family will need in the first 72 hours after an emergency, including pet food, and include your pets in your evacuation plans for fires.
You can order an emergency decal for free on the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society website.