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“The most important thing pet owners should do is to bring their pets indoors,” said Dr. Dick Green, director of disaster response for the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response team. “If conditions are unsafe for humans, they are also unsafe for pets.”
The ASPCA urges pet owners to develop an emergency plan that accounts for the safety of their animals, as well as to stay up to date on storm warnings in their area.
The following tips will help pet owners prepare for winter storms such as Nemo:
- Always bring pets indoors at the first sign or warning of a storm or disaster.
- Don’t let your dog off the leash after heavy snowfall: dogs can lose their scent during winter storms and easily become lost.
- Keep a pet emergency kit and supplies handy with items such as medical records, water, pet food and medications and pet first aid supplies.
- Make sure all pets wear collars and tags with up-to-date identification. Veterinarians recommend micro-chipping your pet as a more permanent form of identification.
- Arrange a safe haven for your pets in the event of evacuation. Never leave your pets behind.
- Clean off your dog’s paws with a moist washcloth after going outside. Snow-melting salt can be very painful to dogs’ feet and can make them ill when ingested.
Click here for more information on disaster preparedness and cold weather pet safety tips from the ASPCA.
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