Nobody wants to imagine an emergency or disaster happening to them, but it’s a fact of life and something that everyone should be prepared for. This is especially important for pet owners. Do you have a specific plan in place to protect your animal companions in case of an emergency? Here are a few helpful tips from your Snohomish vet on how you can prepare to keep your pets safe in the event of a disaster. Create an Evacuation Plan – Determine ahead of time where you and your pets can go if you are evacuated from your home. Check with your Snohomish vet, the local shelter and area kennels to determine where you might be able to board your pet in the event of a crisis. Bring Outdoor Pets Indoors During Storms – Animals should never be left outside to weather dangerous storms. Bring them inside, even if it’s in your basement or garage, where they will be warm, sheltered and safe. Always Keep Up-To-Date ID – Your animal companion should have proper identification on them at all times so that, should they escape your care, you’ll have a good chance of being reunited and bringing them home safely once things settle down. You may even want to talk to your Snohomish vet about having your pet microchipped for an added level of protection. Stock Up on Extra Pet Supplies – Keep a stash of canned and dry food and bottled water so that your pet will be well cared for if you should lose power in a storm. Keep at least one week’s supply of both, and store them in a place where you won’t be tempted to dip into them when your regular supply gets low. Keep Travel Supplies At the Ready – You should always have a leash ready for each dog, and a crate ready for each cat, stored in an area where they can quickly and easily be accessed should you need to leave your home in a hurry. Assemble a Pet First Aid Kit – Keep a kit filled with medical and emergency care supplies in a safe, easy-to-get-to place. Your Snohomish vet should be able to give you a detailed list of what items the kit should contain. Disasters can strike at any moment, and it’s our job as responsible pet owners to be prepared ahead of time. By following these tips, you will have a much better chance of helping your pet escape injury or harm and safely weather any situation.