Be prepared if you need to evacuate your pets
When you think of disaster preparedness, what comes to mind? Having a survival kit for an earthquake, wildfire, flood or power outage? The recent fire at a local salvage yard demonstrated that a disaster can occur anywhere, anytime. Pets and apartment buildings were lost as the raging fire engulfed nearby structures. Two homes on the block survived the massive fire, but even for those families their world was turned upside down.
Too Close to Home: A True Story
Mellanie Axton was in her home getting ready for work when the nearby blaze started. She recalled hearing an explosion and knew right away it was trouble. It was a frightening case of déjà vu since she survived a house fire 15 years. Tragically, her five pets died during that fire. With the memory of her past loss fresh in her mind, she raced to get her dogs out of the house quickly.
Mellanie was able to stay with her dogs at a family member’s small apartment the first night, but she needed a place for her dogs the next day while she worked with the Fire Department to determine when it would be safe to return to her home. She called Oregon Humane Society for assistance and her dogs were boarded for the night.
The fire occurred about two miles from OHS. Staff could see the billowing smoke and checked in at the scene. Throughout the day OHS was able to distribute crates and supplies to those who were evacuating. Multnomah County Animal Services, the lead agency during emergencies, also housed a number of evacuated pets.
Fire Safety Tips from the Experts
- Assemble a pet survival kit and be prepared to evacuate with your pets.
- Include a pet first aid kit, medications, food, leashes and crates.
- Tag, microchip, and photograph your pets.
- Current pet identification is critical.
- Get to know your neighbors.
- If you are at work when disaster strikes, ask them to help.
- Have an alternative shelter plan for your pets.
- Keep a list of pet-friendly hotels in your area.
- Be prepared to shelter pets in need.
- You may need to help a neighbor.
- Help emergency workers help your pets.
- Place a decal near your front door indicating the number of pets inside.
Find more tips here and in this useful guide from the ASPCA.
