By the Humane Society of Ventura County –
September is National Preparedness Month, making now the perfect time to ask yourself an important question: If you had to evacuate today, would you be ready to get all of your animals to safety?
Let’s Be Ready Together
Not sure how you would evacuate your animals? Have questions about emergency preparedness? Now is the time to find the answers.
Join us for Ready Together: Emergency Preparedness for People & Pets on September 29 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm in the HSVC Community Room at 402 Bryant St. in Ojai.
Meet local first responders and service providers, get practical preparedness tips, and discover resources that can help keep you, your family, and your animals safe.
Don’t wait until an emergency is at your doorstep to make a plan. Prepare now, know your options, and let’s be ready together.
Emergencies can happen quickly, and having a plan in place before you need it can save valuable time. While grabbing a leash or carrier may be part of your plan for household pets, evacuating horses and livestock requires even more preparation.
Don’t Wait to Plan for Your Large Animals
If you have horses or livestock, know how you will evacuate before an emergency happens.
Make sure you have access to enough trailer space to safely transport all of your animals and identify who can help if you can’t evacuate them on your own. Know where you can take your animals, plan multiple evacuation routes, and keep important supplies, medications, records, halters, and leads easy to access.
It’s also important to practice. Horses should be comfortable loading and unloading from a trailer before an emergency. When conditions are changing quickly, you don’t want the first attempt at loading to be during an evacuation.
Most importantly, leave early when instructed to evacuate. Moving large animals takes time, and waiting can put you, your animals, and first responders at greater risk.
Have a Plan for Your Pets, Too
Include your household pets in your emergency plan from the start. Prepare an emergency go bag with food, water, medications, veterinary records, identification, leashes, and other essentials. Keep carriers accessible and know where you can safely take your pets if you need to leave home. Include a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member in your plan who can help get your pets to safety if an emergency happens while you’re away.
Prepare for Possible Evacuations
You may have very little time to leave safely when a disaster strikes. Preparing now can save precious minutes later.
Prepare an Emergency Go Bag for Humans and Pets:
Things to Pack or Humans:
- Water and non-perishable food (3 days supply minimum)
- First-aid kit
- Copies of important documents (IDs, insurance policies, medical records, passport)
- Medications and hygiene items
- Flashlight, batteries, and phone chargers
- Extra clothing and sturdy shoes
Things to Pack for Pets:
- Pet carrier or crate (labeled with your contact information) leash, collar with ID tag, and harness
- Food and water with bowls (3 days supply minimum)
- Medication and vaccination records
- Comfort items (blanket, toys, etc.)
- Waste disposal items (litter, plastic bags, poop bags)
- Photo of your pet (in case you get separated)
Plan Evacuation Routes: Identify multiple exit routes in case some roads are closed.
Prepare your Vehicle: Keep your gas tank full, and store an extra phone charger, blanket, and additional supplies in your car.
Visit the Disaster Preparedness page at www.HSVC.org for more information.
