Disaster preparedness tips for patient safety during hurricane season

Photo: New Africa/Adobe Stock

With National Preparedness Month just a few days away, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has shared disaster preparedness advice to help keep companion animals safe during emergencies. The advice compilation comes as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted an “above-normal” 2024 Atlantic hurricane season driven by near-record warm ocean temperatures and other factors.^1,2

"Thorough, effective disaster and emergency preparedness plans are essential among pet owners, especially as animal welfare organizations and shelters across the country continue to face capacity and resource challenges, making it even more difficult for them to support at-risk animals and pet owners impacted when disaster strikes," Susan Anderson, director of disaster response for the ASPCA National Field Response Team, said in a news release.¹

Disaster preparedness tips

To help keep patients safe during hurricane season and any other disaster situation, share with clients ASPCA recommendations as follows¹:

• Bringing pets along if evacuating
• Never leaving pets behind or tethered to poles or trees, which prevents them from escaping high waters and getting to safe areas
• Arranging a safe haven for pets such as boarding kennels, emergency shelters, pet-friendly hotels, or a friend or family member's home
• Sharing emergency plans with a trusted family member, friend, or neighbor
• Preparing emergency supplies and portable pet emergency kits with pet ID tags, food, clean water, medications, a pet carrier, food and water bowls, and other necessities; supplies should be enough for at least 7 to 10 days
• Securing copies of pets’ medical records, as well as a photo of the pet and owner together in case of separation
• Ensuring all pets are wearing identification tags with up-to-date contact information
• Checking microchip registration information to ensure that contact information is accurate
• Signing up for local emergency alerts
• Preparing pets’ crates in advance

The ASPCA also shared a pet disaster checklist to help guide people in creating and carrying out a plan, and ensuring they do not miss any essential supplies for their pet. Additionally, ASPCA’s Pet Preparedness Tips document, also in the form of a checklist, is available in Spanish as well.

According to Anderson, more than 80% of pet owners live in a community that experiences disaster events. With this in mind, she emphasized the importance of being these companion animals’ first line of defense.¹

2024 hurricane season

According to a news report by NOAA, there is an 85% chance that this year’s hurricane season will be higher than normal.² Specifically, the NOAA predicts between 17 to 25 named storms with winds of 39 mph or higher. Of these, 8 to 13 storms are forecasted to develop into hurricanes, including 4 to 7 that are expected to become major hurricanes of categories 3, 4, or 5 with winds of 111 mph or more.

"Severe weather and emergencies can happen at any moment, which is why individuals and communities need to be prepared today," said Erik A Hooks, FEMA deputy administrator, in the NOAA report.² "Already, we are seeing storms move across the country that can bring additional hazards like tornadoes, flooding and hail. Taking a proactive approach to our increasingly challenging climate landscape today can make a difference in how people can recover tomorrow."

References

1. ASPCA disaster response experts urge pet owners to include pets in preparedness plans amid highly active hurricane season predictions. News release. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. August 27, 2024. Accessed August 29, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aspca-disaster-response-experts-urge-pet-owners-to-include-pets-in-preparedness-plans-amid-highly-active-hurricane-season-predictions-302231036.html
2. NOAA predicts above-normal 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. News release. May 23, 2024. Accessed August 29, 2024. https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaa-predicts-above-normal-2024-atlantic-hurricane-season