No one wants to think about becoming ill or having a medical emergency, but it’s important to make sure you have plans in place for you and your loved ones—including your pets. We talked about this at a recent staff meeting, as it relates to COVID-19. If one of us were to contract the new coronavirus and were hospitalized or quarantined, how would we handle the arrangements for our pets?
We came up with some good ideas that will cover a wide range of emergencies—including hurricane season that began on June 1. Here’s our list:
- Designate a family member or friend to care for your pets in the event you are unable to do so.
- Make sure your pets are up to date with their vaccinations and have any medications on hand to last for 30-45 days.
- Keep a file handy with their health records and veterinary contacts.
- Stock up on pet food and other items your pets will need for their living areas.
- Dogs and cats should also have a collar with an ID tag.
- Microchip your pet and make sure the contact information is current.
- If you have to evacuate due to a natural disaster, have a list of the things you or your caregiver will need, and where to find them in your home, including: a solid crate, bedding, leashes and harnesses, litter box/puppy pads/plastic bags, food/water to last for up to two weeks, bowls for feeding/drinking, pet’s health records file, medications, and soothing toys.
As they say, hope for the best and plan for the worst. We truly hope you won’t need to implement a plan.
