Pet Safety in Emergencies

There are many different types of emergencies: fires, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, violent storms and even terrorism.  In the event of a natural, environmental or man-made disaster, protecting your family is the single most important priority, and this can include pets.  Leaving pets out of emergency preparedness plans can leave them in grave danger if disaster strikes.  Even if you try to create a safe place for them, pets left behind during a disaster are likely to be injured, lost, or worse.  Take steps to include your beloved pets in all your emergency plans, and prepare a disaster kit for your pets just as you would for your other family members.

At ITS Environmental Services, the safety of our customers (and their pets) is our number one priority. Information is vital when it comes to protecting your family, loved ones and your employees. We have included several resource pages on our website to provide information concerning natural and environmental disasters.

Below is information from the CDC about pet safety before, during and after an emergency.

Before an Emergency

To get started, familiarize yourself with the types of disasters that could affect your area and consider your options for providing care for your pet(s).

Disasters can happen without warning, so be prepared:

• Make sure your pet(s) wear collars and tags with up-to-date contact information and other identification.
• Microchip your pet(s) – this is one of the best ways to ensure that you and your pet are reunited if you are separated. Always be sure to register the microchip with the manufacturer and keep your contact information up to date with the microchip company.
• Keep a leash and/or carrier near the exit.
• Make sure you have proper equipment for pets to ride in the car (carriers, harnesses, pet seatbelts).
• Prepare a Pet Disaster Kit so evacuation will go smoothly for your entire family. Ask your veterinarian for help in putting together your pet’s veterinary records.

Prepare a disaster kit for your pets with the following items. Ask your veterinarian for help putting it together.

Documents

• Photocopied veterinary records
  • Rabies certificate
  • Vaccinations
  • Medical summary
  • Prescriptions for medications
  • Most recent heartworm test result (dogs)
  • Most recent FeLV/FIV test result (cats)
• Photocopied registration information (ex: proof of ownership or adoption records)
• Pet description(s) (ex: breed, sex, color, weight)
• Recent photographs of each of your pets
• Waterproof container for documents
• Microchip information (ex: microchip number, name and number of the microchip company)
• Your contact information (phone numbers and addresses for your family and friends or relatives you may be staying with)
• Pet boarding instructions

Water, Food, Medications

• 2-week supply of food for each animal stored in waterproof containers
• 2-week supply of water for each animal
• Non-spill food and water dishes
• Manual can opener
• Feeding instructions for each animal
• 2-week supply of any medications (if applicable)
• Medication instructions (if applicable)
• 1-month supply of flea, tick, and heartworm preventative

Other Supplies

• Leash, collar with ID, and harness
• Litter and litterbox (cats)
• Toys
• Appropriate-sized pet carrier with bedding, blanket, or towel
• Pet first aid book and first aid kit
• Cleaning supplies for accidents (paper towels, plastic bags, disinfectant)

Make a Plan

• Plan where you and your pet will stay in case you need to evacuate your home. Pets may not be allowed in local shelters, unless they are service animals. Many disaster evacuation centers (such as Red Cross evacuation centers) do not accept pets and other animals.
  • Identify shelters or out-of-town friends or relatives where your pets and other animals can stay.
  • Locate boarding facilities or animal hospitals near your evacuation shelter and in the case you are unable to return home right away.
• Create a buddy system in case you’re not home during an emergency. Ask a trusted neighbor who can check on your animals and can evacuate your animals if necessary.
• Locate a veterinarian or animal hospital in the area where you may be seeking temporary shelter and add the veterinarian’s contact information to your emergency kit.

Create an emergency kit for your pet

Prepare an emergency kit for your pet ahead of time.

• Purchase a pet carrier for each of your pets (write your pet’s name, your name, and contact information on each carrier).
• Food and water for at least 2 weeks for each pet
• For cats: litter box and litter
• For dogs: plastic bags for poop
• Medications for at least 2 weeks
• Medical records, including record of vaccination for rabies and other diseases, prescription medications, and medical history.
• Sturdy leashes or harnesses
• Microchip number
• Contact information (cell phone, work phone, home phone) of owner and close relative or friends

Practice evacuating your pet

• Train your pets to be in their carriers by making it a comfortable place.
• Practice transporting your pet by taking them for rides in a vehicle similar to one you would be evacuating in. If you do not have a car, make arrangements with neighbors, family, and friends. You can also contact your local government to learn about transportation options during a disaster.
• Know where your pet might hide when stressed or scared. Practice catching your pet, if needed.
• For cats, you can practice removing your cat from his/her hiding spot and using your cat’s carrier, a pillowcase, a sturdy box — anything to get your cat quickly out of harm’s way.
• Have your entire family practice evacuating with your pets so everyone knows what to take, where to find the pets, and where to meet.

During an Emergency

Sheltering during an evacuation

• Remember, during a disaster, what is good for you is good for your pet. If you leave your pets behind, they may be lost, injured – or worse. Never leave a pet chained outdoors.
• Contact your local emergency management office and ask if they offer accommodations for owners and their pets. If accommodations are needed for your pet(s):
  • Contact local veterinary clinics, boarding facilities, local animal shelters, family or friends outside the evacuation area, or a pet-friendly hotel, particularly along evacuation routes.
  • Visit the Humane Society to find a shelter in your area.
• Remember to take your pet’s emergency kit with you.
• Learn what to expect if you take your pet to an evacuation center.

Sheltering in place

When sheltering at home with your pet, make sure the room chosen is pet-friendly in the following ways:

• Select a safe room, preferably an interior room with no (or few) windows.
• Remove any toxic chemicals or plants.
• Close off small areas where frightened cats could get stuck in (such as vents or beneath heavy furniture).

Diseases that can spread between pets and people during a natural disaster

Natural disasters can contribute to the transmission of some diseases. Exposure to inclement weather conditions, stagnant water, wildlife or unfamiliar animals, and overcrowding can put your pet at risk for getting sick. Some of these illnesses can be transmitted between pets and people (also known as zoonotic diseases or zoonoses). Some common disaster-related diseases that pets can pass to people are the following: rabies, leptospirosis, and diseases spread by mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks.

• Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system in both animals and people. Rabies is transmitted through bites from rabid animals or through contact with their saliva. To protect you and your pet: Report any bite wounds to medical personnel immediately. Practice safe handling of pets in a stressful situation. Keep your pet in a carrier or on a leash. Do not allow your pet to interact with other animals
• Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease found in the urine of infected animals that can cause kidney damage and affect other organs. It is transmitted through contact with infected urine or contaminated water, soil, and food. Wash your hands after coming in contact with urine. Avoid stagnant water, especially after flooding occurring after natural disasters. Don’t allow pets to play in or drink contaminated water.
• Diseases spread by mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks: Mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks are common pests of stray animals and can be a problem immediately following a disaster situation. Their bites irritate the skin and may also spread a variety of diseases (Lyme disease, West Nile virus) harmful to both people and animals. To help prevent illnesses associated with mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks: Keep your pet away from wildlife and stray animals. Talk to your veterinarian about the use of a regular preventative treatment for fleas, ticks, and parasites for your pet.

How to Keep Yourself and Your Pets Healthy During a Disaster

• Wash your hands after handling your pet, its food, or its waste.
• Do not let your pet lick your face or hands.
• Keep your pet up-to-date on all vaccinations and heartworm, flea, and tick preventatives.
• Practice safe handling of your pet, because your pet may behave differently during a stressful situation.
• Keep your pet in a carrier or on a leash.
• Do not allow your pet to interact with other animals, especially wildlife and stray animals.
• Report any bite wounds to medical personnel immediately.
• Properly clean and disinfect cages and litterboxes. Wash your pet’s bedding regularly.
• Avoid stagnant water, especially after flooding occurring after natural disasters.
• Don’t allow pets to play in or drink contaminated water.

After an Emergency

After an emergency, familiar scents and landmarks may have changed. Pets can become confused and lost, so it’s important to keep pets on leash or in a carrier when they’re being transported or when you go outside. Some hazards to be aware of for pets and people include snakes and other wildlife, especially after flooding, and downed power lines.

Returning home

• Check your home for sharp objects, spilled chemicals, and exposed wiring to protect your family and your pets from injury.
• The behavior of animals may change dramatically after a flood, flash flood, thunderstorm, or hurricane. Normally quiet and friendly animals may become irritable.
• Monitor animals closely and only release them in a safe and secure environment.
• Contact a veterinarian if you notice any signs of stress, discomfort, or illness in your pets.

Finding a lost pet

• Make sure that your family is in a safe location before you begin your search.
• If you are in a shelter that houses pets, inform one of the pet caretakers. Give the pet caretaker a missing pet flyer.
• Many shelters and organizations will house pets lost during disasters. Contact your local humane society, animal welfare organization, or county or state animal response team to find the shelters or organizations near you. The National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition  may also be able to help find the right local response organization.
• In addition to shelters and rescue organizations, you can contact local animal control about your lost pet and post missing pet flyers in the area once conditions are safe.
• If your pet has a microchip, call the microchip company to let them know your pet is missing and make sure all the information about your pet including your current contact information is updated and current.

Pet first aid

• Emergency treatment and first aid for pets should never be used as a substitute for veterinary care. But, it may save your pet’s life before you can get your pet to a veterinarian.
• The American Veterinary Medical Association offers specific advice for basic first aid in the case of poisoning, seizures, fractures, external and internal bleeding, burns, choking, heatstroke, and what to do if your pet has no heartbeat or is not breathing.

Tips for handling injured pets

• Never assume that even the gentlest pet will not bite or scratch if injured.
• Pain and fear can make animals unpredictable or even dangerous.
• Don’t attempt to hug an injured pet, and always keep your face away from its mouth, which might scare the animal more or cause them pain.
• Perform any contact with your pet slowly and gently.
• Stop if your animal becomes more agitated or stressed.
• Try to get your pet to a veterinarian as quickly as possible without risking injury or illness to yourself or your family.

The safety of our customers is our #1 priority. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us anytime.  We are here to help.

Emergency Response

At ITS Environmental Services, we provide complete emergency HAZMAT cleanup, disinfection and site remediation & restoration services. Our highly experienced technicians are available for immediate emergency cleanup following a natural or environmental event. We use state-of-the-art equipment and advanced cleaning methodologies on all jobs. We follow strict standards and regulations to maximize safety.

Content Pack Out & Storage Services

If you’ve had a flood or fire in your home or office, or if you require mold abatement, or have another environmental issue, we can take the unaffected contents and store it in our clean and safe warehouse until the affected area has been cleaned & fully restored. We have the ability to pack out and transport personal property to our warehouse for your short term or long term storage solutions. We will carefully wrap, package and inventory the items and label each box. We provide protective coverings for all furniture and items of value. We securely load the contents onto our trucks and safely deliver it to our warehouse. Our warehouse is climate controlled and equipped with central station monitoring, fire and theft alarms and sprinkler system. We have a fleet of box trucks and vans to accommodate any size job. We will also deliver the contents back to you when it is safe to do so.

Restoring & Rebuilding Your Property

If you have damage to your property, whether it was caused by a flood or fire in your home or business, or you had mold removal performed, or have storm damage, we can provide a complete rebuild of the affected area and restore your home or business to its pre-loss condition. We understand that you want to have your home back to normal for your family or reduce additional economic loss to your business. We can provide you with a free no-obligation estimate for the repair and restore of your property, and if an insurance claim was submitted, we can help negotiate with your insurance company. Call us today for your free no-obligation estimate.

For a more detailed description of each of the Restoration Services we provide, please visit our Services pages, which are listed in both the top and left side menu.

We Follow Strict Standards

From start to finish, ITS Environmental Services, Inc. is a leading expert in environmental restoration and remediation in the New York and Tri State area. We will handle every facet of any size commercial or residential flood mitigation, mold remediation and fire & smoke damage restoration project. In addition to our water mitigation & drying, mold remediation & removal and fire/smoke damage restoration services, we provide emergency biohazard cleanup, disinfection for germs, viruses and bacteria, animal damage cleanup, trauma, death & crime scene cleanup, gross filth & hoarding cleanup, odor removal, oil, fuel & chemical spill mitigation and other environmental hazardous restoration services. We also offer packing, moving & storage for personal property during the restoration process and rebuilds of damaged property. Our team has substantial training and experience, and we incorporate the most advanced mitigation techniques, equipment and methodologies to provide the highest effective restoration process. We follow the strict standards of the IICRC, CDC & EPA on every project. We are highly experienced, IICRC and CEICR Certified and fully insured. We offer free inspections and estimates, and we will negotiate with insurance carriers on behalf of our clients. Call us today 1-855-862-7474.

Call ITS Environmental Services Today

Over the past 10 years, ITS Environmental Services has become the leading restoration company for all types of remediation in homes and commercial properties. We will restore and rebuild any property back to a safe environment. We provide emergency service for homes and businesses damaged by flooding, fire & smoke, mold, biohazardous waste, odors, germs, viruses & bacteria, blood and bodily fluids due to crime, death & trauma related events, animal & pests, gross filth, hoarding, fuel, oil & chemical spills and other environmental hazards throughout New York, Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey and Connecticut 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are in need of property restoration from environmental damage, please call us today. We understand the challenges facing our customers when they contact us, and we will do our utmost to assist you every step of the way. We will perform a No-Obligation inspection and provide you with a detailed estimate of the work to be performed, and we will assist you in negotiating with your insurance carrier. ITS Environmental Services, Inc. is a fully insured corporation, IICRC & CEICR Certified and all of our technicians are trained and certified. Call us today at 1-855-862-7474.