Disaster Planning for Pet Owners
Don’t Forget Your Pets in Your Disaster Planning Efforts
When many people consider disaster planning, they forget to take into account making preparations for their pets. It’s important to take your pets into consideration when you are making a disaster plan, and while there are many considerations that need to be addressed, one specific part of disaster planning involves what will happen should you become separated from your Fido or Furry.
The Microchip Miracle
A microchip can be a great solution to calming your fears if for some reason you become separated from your pets. Your disaster planning should take into account the possibility that you won’t always be able to stay with your pets. Perhaps, the area around your home was evacuated when you were heading home and rescue personnel are prohibiting citizens from entering the area. Then later your pet might be evacuated and end up at a shelter with no clear documentation of who he belongs to. That is where a microchip can come in to play.
A microchip can be the one piece of evidence that can reunite you with your pet following a forced or accidental separation. If your animal ends up at a shelter, they are obligated to scan pets with a special device to detect the presence of a microchip. If one is present, they can then contact a national database to see who is registered as the pet’s owner. It’s great to avoid separation from your pet during a natural disaster, but sometimes that is not always possible. When that happens, you will have the peace of mind of knowing that your disaster planning involved getting your pet a microchip. A microchip does usually need to be inserted under the skin while your pet is under anesthesia, but the small risks associated with anesthesia are usually worth the risk. If your pet is being spayed or neutered or has to undergo some other procedure get a microchip inserted then.
When you look at disaster planning for yourself and your family, make sure to include your pets in that plan too.