How to Keep Your Pets Safe During an Emergency Evacuation

 How to Keep Your Pets Safe During an Emergency Evacuation

Hi everyone, welcome to my blog! Today I want to talk about a very important topic: how to evacuate with your pets in case of an emergency. Whether it's a hurricane, a wildfire, an earthquake, or any other disaster, you need to be prepared to take your furry friends with you and keep them safe. Here are some tips to help you be prepared.

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1. Make sure your pets have ID tags and collars with your current contact information. You can also get them microchipped or use a GPS collar for extra security. This will help you find them if they get lost or separated from you during the evacuation.

2. Have a pet carrier or crate for each pet, and label it with your name and phone number. Get your pets used to being in their carriers or crates before the emergency, so they don't panic when you need to use them. You can also put some familiar items inside, like toys or blankets, to make them more comfortable.

3. Pack a disaster kit for your pets that includes food, water, bowls, litter, medications, first aid supplies, vaccination records, and any other essentials they might need. Keep this kit in a convenient place that you can easily grab when you need to leave.

4. Plan ahead where you and your pets will stay if you have to evacuate. Many public shelters and hotels do not allow pets, so you need to find pet-friendly options in advance. You can check online resources and search for listings of pet-friendly accommodations. You can also ask your friends, family, or veterinarian if they can take your pets in case of an emergency.

5. Follow the instructions of local authorities and emergency workers when evacuating. They will tell you the best routes and places to go, and they will help you and your pets get out safely. Do not ignore their warnings or try to take shortcuts that might put you in danger.

6. Do not leave your pets behind, even if you think you will be back soon. Disasters can be unpredictable, and you might not be able to return home for a long time. Leaving your pets alone can expose them to injury, starvation, dehydration, or worse.

7. After the evacuation, help your pets adjust back to normal. They might be stressed or traumatized by the experience, so give them lots of love and attention. Monitor their health and behavior for any signs of illness or injury and contact your veterinarian if needed.

I hope these tips will help you and your pets be prepared for any emergency situation that might arise. Remember, your pets are part of your family, and they depend on you for their safety and well-being. Stay safe and take care!

Have a look at my book below and train your dog in the comfort of your home! 

Click to visit my huge emergency links page for more resources. 

Visit the Bug-out Bag page for a long long list of what to pack in an evacuation bag and to keep on hand for yourself and pets to survive without electric power, without heat or water and in the event of a disaster, and if your  family has to evacuate.

Thank you for visiting Family Disaster Dogs !

Stay safe out there,

Amber 

Founder, author, dog pro  

Here I am with the first Family Disaster Dogs, Willie G and Daisy who inspired this site and books.

All photo rights reserved by Amber Higgins

Little boy named Dumpster at a Family Disaster Dogs book signing 

My current girl as a pup learning to evacuate

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Watch How-to Teach any Dog to Find Family Members after Floods, Earthquakes

Watch us start training a search dog in basic skills and learn how to teach your own dogs to find lost or missing family and friends.

This is one of the skills you can learn more about in my Family Disaster Dogs book. (free on Kindle unlimited)

This fun game of hide and seek is perfect for families to play with their own dogs. Knowing how-to ask your dog to find your child or partner sure would come in handy in the aftermath of a disaster or if a child or elderly person wandered away on a camping trip.

Teaching your dogs how to look for friends and family is one skill I hope you never have to use.

While knowing how to do this with your dogs may never be used, it sure does not hurt to know how!

Plus this gives you a fun activity to do with your dogs and family.

Here's a video of a family dog I'm teaching to find lost and missing persons with her owner. Bella is three years old and did not have an formal training before starting to learn how to find a missing person. She knows basic manners and obedience, enjoys the dog park and swims in the river fetching her toy. This video is one of the first times we asked her to find the boy she lived with. Watch her go!

Your dog can do the same, ask a family member to go hide while you hold the dog until the person is out of sight then let the dog go and see what happens !

You can use a leash or not. We are teaching this dog to be an official trailing-tracking dog and the leash in this case is part of the job. Family dogs can get the job done anyway they are comfortable looking for a family member.

Please leave a comment and let us know what you think. Thanks and stay safe everyone!

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With climate change rising seas and heatwaves, floods, wildfires and storms everywhere it's time to prepare for the worst and pray for the best.

my Wrinkledpups Daisy Mayham 2000-2014

Why Stimulation Is Great For Your Dog

What's the overriding contrast when comparing dogs and cats? Dogs are just way more energetic.

They are incredibly playful, curious and they love to take risks. That’s actually why we love them though, because we can understand their emotions that are much more visibly on display. But let’s not forget they are pets, and sometimes we need to stop them from doing silly nonsensical things. 

Digging up the backyard for no apparent reason being one of them. They get their nose right into the soil and dirt, as well as their paws and coat which just makes for one giant clean up job when they come back in the house. Stimulation is great for your dog, because after all their senses are way more advanced and powerful than our own. Here’s how you can help them enjoy and explore with them but in a sustainable way.

Let them chew

If you come home one day after work and find that your table or sofa has been chewed up, calm down. The only person should blame is you, because this is essentially a cry out for help. Dogs that are locked in the home for the majority of the day will feel trapped and even though they might look calm, certain trigger actions will show their angst. 

So, allow them to chew on other things such as bones, chew toys and give them harder chewy treats. To support their teeth so they can chew to their heart’s content, take them to a low cost dental care for dogs where they can get a clean up done. It's done under general anesthetic and the company also provides post-clean oral products.

Double the fun

Dogs love to run and play, it's when they’re at their most stimulated. However, humans can only play with dogs a certain way. We usually play fetch with them which gets boring not just of the owner but the dog too. So, you should try to arrange a play time with another dog owner so that both your dogs can meet up in the park and run around together. 

Dogs often play fight which just can’t happen between man and beast, so allowing them to play bite, roll around and jump on each other is going to excite them. Fulfilling that need to hone their primal instincts, they will chase each other around and go sniffing places together as well. By doubling the fun, you also get some time to enjoy the park, sit down with a cup of coffee and watch them have at it.

Paying attention

A simple game you can play at home is the three cup treat. It's a easy as it sounds, because you get three paper cups and show the dog a treat in your hand. You put the treat underneath one of the cups and you mix them around. Then allow the dog to guess with their paw and if they get it right they get the treat. It's a memory game but it's keeps them stimulated and it's simple bonding time too.


Dogs need to be stimulated, you can’t just switch them on and off. Give them something to chew on and also some general dental care so their teeth stay in good condition while they gnaw on bones etc. Arrange a double play time with another dog to really set their senses and excitement alight.

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Where dog owners can learn how any dog can help during emergencies and disasters.

Learn how your own dog can find missing family members or bring you first aid if you are trapped.

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Learn valuable knowledge that will help you survive disasters! 

Thanks and Stay Safe with your pets!