Wildfire Preparedness Tips for Pet Safety During COVID-19
August 31, 2020 • Health & Wellness •
Credit SFFD PIOK9 XORO promotes Safety ID tags for homes
Wildfires continue to burn throughout California, and some parts of the U.S, with fires burning thousands of acres, some sparked by intense thunderstorms and global warming.
Thanks to global warming, wildfires are becoming more common affecting people, pets, and livestock. 2020 remains above the 10-year average in the amount of fires and acres affected, with most of the activity in Arizona and California. As of August 2020, California has been affected with as much as 1.4 of the 1.8 million acres burned nationally.
If you live in or near a region that’s prone to wildfires, you’ll need to keep in mind that response and evacuations may be more complicated during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the historic heatwave. That said, it’s important to have an evacuation plan that’s coordinated with your local safety teams for specific recommendations based on your demographics.
When it comes down to wildfires, there’s nothing more important than being fully prepared and ready to evacuate with your pets. That means having all the essentials ready like food, water, bowls, pet meds, supplements, and of course, extra leashes and collars, dog toys, together with bedding, blanket, crate and medical records for Fido. Have a safe place to take your pets ahead of time
You’ll also need to contact pet friendly hotels outside your immediate area to check their pet policies which may include size and breed restrictions, as well as the number of pets you can bring.
It’s crucial that you include all your pets when preparing for any type of emergency or natural disaster. It may be difficult to find a place to stay during or after a natural disaster because the demand will be high.
Prepare an emergency list
Prepare a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians ahead of time that offer board to pets in an emergency (include 24-hour numbers). You may need to house your pets separately, so ensure ahead of time that all pets are wearing comfortable collars with securely-fastened and current identification information. If you don’t have tags, you can purchase temporary tags or put adhesive tape on the back of your animal’s ID tag, adding information with permanent ink.
The San Francisco Fire Department Public Information Office (SFFD) offers these steps to help residents include their animals in their family emergency plan:
One of the best ways to be prepared is to assemble two portable pet disaster supply kits. SFFD, Lt. Jonathan Baxter adds “Think first about the basics for survival, particularly food and water. Consider two kits. Set aside everything you and your pets will need to stay where you are. The other kit should be a lightweight, smaller version you can take with you if you and your pets have to getaway. Be sure to review your kits regularly to ensure that their contents, especially foods and medicines, are fresh.”
SFFD PIO - K9 XORO and Lt. Baxter promoting summer safety
Lt. Jonathan Baxter, SFFD, explains that you’ll need to do the following:
Food: Keep at least three days of food in an airtight, waterproof container.
Water: Store at least three days of water specifically for your pets in addition to water you need for yourself and your family.
Medicines and medical records: Keep an extra supply of medicines your pet regularly takes in a waterproof container.
First Aid Kit: Talk to your veterinarian about what is most appropriate for your pet’s emergency medical needs. Most kits should include cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors; antibiotic ointment; flea and tick prevention; latex gloves, isopropyl alcohol and saline solution. Include a pet first aid reference book.
Collar with ID Tag, Harness or Leash: Your pet should wear a collar with its rabies tag and identification at all times. Include a backup leash, collar and ID tag in your pet’s emergency supply kit. It’s important to make sure that your pet can be easily identified.
Because wildfires move so rapidly, consider evacuating ahead of time, and not waiting for evacuation orders. You can also start getting your furry best friend used to his crate in case you need to use it for immediate transportation, and practice your recall cues.
See more here - firepio@sfgov.org
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