This post is sponsored by Hill’s Food, Shelter, & Love® Initiative and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping Promote National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day, but we only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.
In the past three years, the Hill's network has delivered free pet food to more than 60 different shelters and veterinary clinics across the country in response to 25 major incidents - including the floods in Colorado, the fires in Idaho and Arizona, the fertilizer explosion plant in Texas the mudslide in Washington state and tornadoes in the central and southern regions of the country.
Even the most prepared owners can get separated from their pet, that's why it's so important to have a plan in place that ensures the health and safety of your pet in times of crisis.
Hill's recommends the following 7 tips to ensure your pet's safety in an emergency.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Hill’s® Pet Nutrition, Inc. The opinions and text are all mine.
Back in 2008 the Northeast was hit with a damaging ice storm. Trees and power lines were down, roads were blocked and we had no power for over a week. This was the first major disaster I had experienced and I can honestly say I was not prepared. Living in Massachusetts, we may get an occasional tornado warning, minor hurricane or blizzard but nothing like the disasters that we see on the news. Needless to say no matter how minor an emergency may seem, it's always best to be prepared for our own safety and our pets.
The responsibility of shelters during a disaster stretches already overwhelmed staff and resources to the breaking point, as they are just not caring for the shelters animals, but also pets that have become separated from their owners.
The responsibility of shelters during a disaster stretches already overwhelmed staff and resources to the breaking point, as they are just not caring for the shelters animals, but also pets that have become separated from their owners.
Hill's Food, Shelter & Love
The Hill's Food, Shelter & Love® program has provided over $280 million worth of food to nearly 1,000 shelters, 365 days a year helping over 8 million pets find a new home. As an extension of this program, Hill's established a first-of-it's-kind national network in 2013. The Hill's Disaster Relief Network is positioned to quickly respond with shipments of pet food to communities impacted by disaster.
In the past three years, the Hill's network has delivered free pet food to more than 60 different shelters and veterinary clinics across the country in response to 25 major incidents - including the floods in Colorado, the fires in Idaho and Arizona, the fertilizer explosion plant in Texas the mudslide in Washington state and tornadoes in the central and southern regions of the country.
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| Photo Credit: Hill's Pet Nutrition |
Hill's Disaster Relief Network
The Hill's Disaster Relief network is poised and ready to help at a moment's notice so that they can ensure that all of the animals, though stressed and upset, have proper nutrition to keep them healthy until they can be reunited with their owners.Even the most prepared owners can get separated from their pet, that's why it's so important to have a plan in place that ensures the health and safety of your pet in times of crisis.
- Ensure that your pet can be identified by a microchip or ID collar and make sure this info is updated.
- Prepare a "Pet Emergency Go-Kit" of pet supplies that is easily accessible in an emergency. See infographic below to learn what the kit should include.
- Display a pet rescue decal on your front door or window for first responders, include vet's contact info.
- Learn where your pets like to hide in the house when they are frightened.
- Identify a location to take your pet if you need to leave your immediate area. Some disaster shelters open to people may not allow pets. Search for hotels or ask friends and relatives if they could house you and your pet.
- Carry a picture of your pet in case of separation.
- If you need to evacuate, consider taking a pet-carrier or crate for safe transport.
Mark your calendars for FEMA's National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day on May 14th and put together a Disaster Plan and Go-Kit for your pet.
The Hill's Food, Shelter & Love™ program is a living, breathing example of how we live out our mission statement on a daily basis and is based on four pillars: Volunteer, Donate, Choose and Adopt.
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Have you ever experienced a natural disaster with your pet? Were you prepared? Tell us in the comments below.
Have you ever experienced a natural disaster with your pet? Were you prepared? Tell us in the comments below.
Fortunately such disaster are rare here, but we always have an sos-stock of food and water. I prayed last night for the people&pets of canada who have to bear this horrible fire... I hope they all are prepared for the worst...
ReplyDeleteThat's great to hear. Our hearts ache for the people and animals of Canada, so devastating. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThese are great tips! I have to go through our Pet Emergency Go-Kit and make sure nothing is expired or needs updating.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great point to make sure nothing has expired! :)
DeleteGrear post, and lots of good tips!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
DeleteBeing prepared is so important. People always tend to believe that such things only happen to "others." What they fail to realize is that we are all "others" to everybody else.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right, disasters can happen anywhere and it's so important to be prepared!
DeleteHey I grew up in Massachusetts, although I moved state about 7 years ago now. Great tips! Everyone always hopes they can avoid having to experience an emergency situation but it never hurts to be prepared just in case.
ReplyDeleteWe have been very fortunate in MA but we are always prepared just in case! Thanks for stopping by!
Deleteterrific advice! thanks for giving a great guideline for preparedness!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
DeleteTotally prepared here :)
ReplyDeleteThat's great to hear!
DeleteWhat a wonderful program to help pets affected by disasters and emergencies. We definitely could do more to be prepared around here - thanks for sharing these tips!
ReplyDeleteIt really is a great program that has helped so many animals and families! We always keep extra supplies on hand, just in case! :)
DeleteGreat post! I definitely agree that it's important to be prepared for anything! We keep extra pet food, treats and kitty litter on hand just in case something happens!
ReplyDeleteThat's great to hear that you are prepared! I will have to add kitty litter to our list!
DeleteThis is such an excellent post filled with fabulous advice. My human mommy served on the board of the Galveston Island Humane Society, so that photo brought back lots of memories. We now live in New Orleans. During Katrina, a lot of people chose to stay because shelters wouldn't take their pets. We all saw how that worked out. Since then, there has been a real move to have more pet-friendly disaster shelters. Hopefully, they won't ever be needed, but they're there if the worst happens.
ReplyDeleteI was glued to the tv during Katrina, what devastation those poor people went through. I really hope more shelters will consider being more pet-friendly in times of emergency.
DeleteWe always have to be prepared for wacky weather situations. This is a very helpful reminder. ♥
ReplyDeleteLiving in a city that experiences flooding and bushfires - its so important to be prepared and have a plan for your pets.
ReplyDeleteImportant info!
ReplyDeleteIt can get so easy to lose a pet in the chaos of an emergency. Preparation saves you a lot of heartache and trouble in the future!
ReplyDeleteI agree, preparations and planning is so important! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteGreat informative post! We are also prepared here. Our concerns are mostly tornadoes and floods. But, with such a large pack, it is vital to be organized, prepared and have a plan beforehand!
ReplyDeleteThat's great to hear! I can imagine planning for a pack does take a bit more time!
DeleteThis is an important reminder that folks should be prepared, with out without pets! Having pets, though, certainly adds an additional layer to the items we need to be ready for potential events. Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThe kit ideas are really crucial and I plan to create our kit this month while this theme is top of mind. Watching those terrible fires up in Canada has reminded us all how important a plan is. Thanks for posting this early on in the month.
ReplyDeleteWe have been watching those fires as well, so scary! It's a great reminder to have a plan in place!
DeleteThese are awesome tips and I really wish I'd had them handy a few years ago. We had a summer of extremely bad fires and at one point, we were on evacuation stand-by in our neighborhood as the flames had crested one of the peaks behind our neighborhood. It was terrifying and I can remember scrambling to figure out what we needed. Thankfully, we never had to evacuate but from that moment on, I've kept an emergency kit in the house and in the car. Two years ago we had terrible flooding in Boulder but I felt so much more calm and prepared because we had a plan. The tips and the infographic are incredibly helpful. Thank you for posting this!
ReplyDeleteHow scary and what a great idea to keep a kit in the car! Paws crossed that you will never have to use it!
DeleteI love learning about programs like this. It also warms my heart to hear of all the amazing people that step forward to help in times of need. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful program that has helped to many animals and families around the country. I agree, it's very inspiring to see people helping others in times of need.
DeleteWe had a major flood within 10 miles of our house this past fall. Luckily, we weren't impacted, but hundreds of people and their pets were displaced. I definitely need to put together an emergency kit.
ReplyDeleteThat must have been so stressful, glad to hear it didn't impact you! It's always to be better to be safe than sorry.
DeleteI think it is terrific that Hills is so committed to helping pets in times of disaster as well as helping homeless pets.
ReplyDeleteWe agree, Hill's has done an amazing job in helping families and pets in times of disaster.
DeleteVery great tips! Definitely a good post to keep in handy.
ReplyDeleteSo im-paw-tant to be prepared!!!
ReplyDeleteWith the recent fires raging on in Calgary this is such a heartbreaking and important post. Too many times pets get displaced in disasters. It's always so amazing to hear stories of them being reunited after, but a handy list like this could help so many avoid the trouble.
ReplyDeleteOur hearts break every time we see the images of those fires on tv. Hopefully many of those families had a plan in place. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteSuch important information... & we're glad you have some toys in your kit!
ReplyDeleteAnnette @PetsAreFound
Very important post - Pinned!
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
DeleteWe have had to evacuate twice in the past few years due to weather emergencies. It is scary. I am so glad Hill's goes above and beyond to help pet parents.
DeleteSeeing the pets on the news during any major disaster is always the hardest part - I've been seeing a lot of good news about people helping others' keep close to their pets more often lately. Great tips!
DeleteIt is so important to be as prepared as you possibly can be for the disasters that are common to your area. I'm glad that Hill's has stepped up to the plate and filled a huge need for animals. They have helped a lot of pets in their time of need.
ReplyDelete-Purrs from your friends at www.PlayfulKitty.net
It's always so good to have a reminder! We used to live in an area where family bush fire preparedness was essential. Now we live in an area where earthquakes a risk, so responding during/after instead of evacuating before has become part of our revised family and pet response.
ReplyDeleteA few tips that the emergency organisations offer here, in addition to those on that great graphic, that might be helpful for folks in similar reactive situations:
- Photograph your pet, your current vaccinations, microchip, and registration details. Keep it on your mobile phone and a back up location (web and/or trusted person). If a disaster strikes whilst you aren't home with your pet or are but cannot safely access your kit, you may have your mobile phone. If that fails, you can always gain access to your back-up.
- If possible, look out for your neighbours and ask that they do the same. You may not be able to safely return home to your pet when disaster strikes and the help of a trusted neighbour may make all the difference.
I hope to never need my emergency plan/kit nor that any of your readers do, but it's important to be prepared if it does. Stay safe, furfriends!
It sounds like you have a great plan in place, fantastic! Thank you for sharing the additional tips. What a great idea to keep your pet's info and backup on your phone. I believe communication, especially with neighbors is vital. Hopefully you will never have to put your plan to use but so happy to hear you are prepared! Thanks for taking the time to comment and sharing your thoughts!
DeleteYour reminder prompted us to stop procrastinating and update our family plans/supplies. I made some simple one-page essential pet info summary sheets as part of updating our family's emergency kits, and prettied them up as blank templates in case they are helpful to anyone else: Free Emergency Pet Information Sheet Printables There is a linked shout out to your post and infographic in the preamble. :) Thanks again!
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