Remember, during a disaster what’s good for you is good for your pet, so get them ready today.

If you leave your pets behind, they may be lost, injured – or worse. Never leave a pet chained outdoors. Plan options include:

• Ask a trusted neighbor to check on your animals if you are not home.
• Identify shelters. For public health reasons, many emergency shelters cannot accept pets.
  • Find pet-friendly hotels along your evacuation route and keep a list in your pet’s emergency kit.
  • Locate boarding facilities or animal hospitals near your evacuation shelter.
  • Consider an out-of-town friend or relative.
• Locate a veterinarian or animal hospital in the area where you may be seeking temporary shelter, in case your pet needs medical care. Add the contact information to your emergency kit.
• Have your pet microchipped and make sure that you not only keep your address and phone number up-to-date but you also include contact information for an emergency contact outside your immediate area.
• Call your local emergency management office, animal shelter or animal control office to get advice and information.
• If you are unable to return to your home right away, you may need to board your pet. Find out where pet boarding facilities are located.
• Most boarding kennels, veterinarians, and animal shelters will need your pet's medical records to verify all vaccinations are current. 

Build a Kit

Include basic survival items and items to keep your pet happy and comfortable:

• Food - At least a 3 day supply in an airtight, waterproof container.
• Water - At least 3 days of water specifically for your pets.
• Medicines and Medical Records.
• Important Documents - Registration information, adoption papers, and vaccination documents.
• Identification Information - Talk to your veterinarian about a microchip and enrolling your pet in a recovery database.
• First Aid Kit
  • Cotton Bandage Rolls
  • Bandage Tape
  • Scissors
  • Antibiotic Ointment
  • Flea and Tick Prevention
  • Latex Gloves
  • Isopropyl Alcohol
  • Saline Solution
  • Pet First Aid Reference Book
• Collar or Harness with ID Tag.
• Rabies Tag.
• Leash.
• Crate or Pet Carrier - it should be large enough for your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down.
• Sanitation 
  • Litter & Litter Box
  • Newspapers or Potty Pads
  • Paper Towels
  • Plastic Trash Bags
  • Household Chlorine Bleach
• Picture - a picture of you and your pet together will help document ownership and allow others to assist you in finding a lost pet. Add species, breed, age, sex, color, and distinguishing characteristics.
• Familiar Items - treats, toys, and bedding can help reduce stress for your pet. 

Evacuation

• Ensure all animals have some form of identification.
• Evacuate animals whenever possible.
• Map primary and secondary evacuation routes in advance.
• Identify vehicles and trailers needed for transporting and supporting each type of animal.
• Ensure handlers and drivers are experienced.
• Ensure destinations have food, water, veterinary care, and handling equipment.
• If evacuation is not possible, owners must decide whether to move large animals to shelter or turn them outside.

Cold Weather

• Observe livestock and look for early signs of disease and injury.
• Severe cold-weather injuries or death primarily occur in the very young or in animals that are already debilitated.

Animals suffering from frostbite don’t exhibit pain. It may be up to 2 weeks before the injury becomes evident as the damaged tissue starts to slough away. Then the injury should be treated as an open wound; a veterinarian should be consulted.

Make sure your livestock has the following to help prevent cold-weather problems:

• Plenty of dry bedding to insulate vulnerable udders, genitals, and legs from the frozen ground and frigid winds
• Windbreaks to keep animals safe from frigid conditions
• Plenty of food and water

Other Resources

Clemson Livestock Poultry Health - 803-788-2260

South Carolina Department of Agriculture - 803-734-2200

South Carolina Association of Veterinarians - 1-800-441-7228 or 803-254-1027

South Carolina Animal Care and Control Association - 803-776-7387