Pets and Animals

Caring for your pets during a storm is your responsibility.

If you own agisted animals (horses for example) away from where you live, you need to think about caring for them as well.

• Move animals to secure shelter or away from storm impacted areas well before the storm hits

 Some animals may become agitated during a storm.

• Bring your pets indoors with their food and water
• Keep your pets close by
• Stay away from windows
• Keep your pets calm

If you need to evacuate or leave:

• Take your pets with you
• Take supplies necessary for your pets including food, water, litter and medications
• Make sure you have appropriate transport equipment including carriers, muzzles and restraints

Some evacuation centres may only allow pets with up-to-date identification and proof of vaccinations. Some may not accept pets at all (assistance animals excepted). Plan for this possibility if you need to leave or evacuate your property.

After a storm, your pets may be agitated and some pets may be missing.

• Make sure the is no damage to your yard or any hazards that could place your pet in danger
• When you take your pets back outside, go with them to let them know it is safe
• Spend some time calming your pets
• Make sure they have food and clean water

If your pet is missing, check with:

• Your neighbours to see if they have seen your pet
• Local pounds, shelters, animal control authorities or boarding facilities

Update your emergency plan with things you have learnt from this experience so that the next time a storm hits, you can care for your pets.

It is also important to remember any animals you may own but which are kept on other properties. Horses are usually kept like this. These kinds of animals are called agisted animals.

Many properties where agisted animals are kept can be affected by storms. If there is the likelihood of storms, it is important to make sure your agisted animals are safe.

Talk to the property owner about the local risks and about their plans for when there may be storms. Add these plans to your own Home Emergency Plan.

Monitor the weather conditions near where your animals are agisted and put your Emergency Plan into action if there is the likelihood of storms where you keep your agisted animals.

Some actions you can take include

Before a storm:

• Make sure where you agist your animals have emergency plans
• Plan how you will keep in touch with the property to make sure your animals are safe
• Move your animals prior to a storm hitting
• Ensure there is secure shelter available for your agisted animals

During a storm:

• Keep in contact with the property owners about the safety of your agisted animals

After a storm:

• Check on your agisted animals when it is safe to do so
• Update your emergency plan
• Help update the property owners emergency plan