Is your pet prepared for the “big one?”
If a natural disaster hits, everyone needs to be ready – including furry friends. The BC SPCA is encouraging pet guardians across the province to include their animals in emergency preparedness plans.
“People don’t necessarily think about their pet in an emergency situation until it’s too late,” said Bob Busch, general manager of facility development for the BC SPCA in a press release. “You don’t have time to gather up everything you need if you have to get out of your home right away.”
Just this past week, the entire coast of B.C. had a brief tsunami warning scare, sending a reminder that a natural disaster could happen at any moment without warning.
Items to include in a pet emergency kit include food, water, a crate or carrier, pet first aid, blanket, leash, harness, food and water bowls, copy of vaccination history and any special medications.
In 2017, during the Okanagan Mountain Park fire, hundreds of farm and companion animals were helped by the SPCA. Busch said he remembers how busy volunteers were helping to provide pet food and supplies.
“So many people forgot feeding bowls, food, leashes, everything,” he said. “We learned how important it is to plan ahead and be prepared for any emergency. People love their pets, but it often doesn’t sink in that an emergency can happen at any time.”
For Richmond residents wanting to learn more about preparedness, the city hosts regular workshops on how to be a resilient community in the face of an emergency. Visit Richmond.ca to see when the next workshop is in your neighbourhood.
