CREATE AN EVACUATION PLAN FOR YOUR PETS

Whether it is a hurricane in Florida or a wildfire in California, one understands the importance of creating an evacuation plan in the event of impending danger.  Many homeowners create evacuations plans and practice them with their children, but far fewer have considered one for their pets.  Here are a few steps to add you pet to your "evac plan".

1. Assign pet evacuation to an adult.  Everyone should know how to act during an evacuation, and that includes assigning one parent or adult to the pets.  This allows the other parents and the children to focus on their part of the evacuation plan, so there's no confusion during a high-stressed moment when time is of the essence.

2. Keep evacuation maps and pet carriers readily accessible.  If you need to evacuate, you should know exactly where every important item is.  If your pets require carriers, keep them in a place that you can access easily.

3.  Practice your plan. Include your pets in your home evacuation drills.  It'll help you see how they will respond and make changes to your plan if necessary.  Getting your dog out of a window may not be as simple as you think!

4.  Be prepared in case you get separated from your pet. No matter how much you drill, it is possible that a dog or cat will run off while you're focusing on keeping your family safe.  A microchip or GPS-compatible tag can help you locate your pets once it is safe to return to the area.

Keeping your pets safe and healthy in the event of evacuation should be a part of your plan.  One final item to include in your "pet evac plan" is an "away bag" of dried or canned food and treats for your pet.  Keep it near your pet carrier and be sure to secure it when you practice your drill.