Emergency Preparedness

General emergency preparedness

• Store pet supplies in your family’s tornado-proof room or cellar. These items can be similar to those in your own disaster/emergency kit. (To learn what should be in an emergency kit, visit getprepared.gc.ca).
• Stockpile food, water, and treats in sufficient quantities in case your town/city’s infrastructure is diminished and you’re unable to get to the store.
• Don’t forget sanitation items, such as a litter box and litter, or puppy pads, in case an excited or frighten pet has an accident.
• Crates for a cat or a frightened dog provide the animal with a cozy, secure hiding place to weather the storm.
• Keep visible and current identification on pets at all times.
• Train your dog to go to your emergency area on command, or to come to you on command regardless of distractions.
• Practice getting the entire family to the tornado safe area during calm weather.
• Learn how to quickly and safely secure your cat.
• Know your pet’s hiding places and how to safely extricate him/her.
• Make your tornado safe area pet-friendly.
• Eliminate unsafe hiding areas that frightened cats may find.
• Remove dangerous items such as tools or toxic products stored in the area.
• Have family and pet disaster kits available should you need to evacuate the area due to heavy destruction.
• Your pets are very vulnerable when an emergency evacuation takes place. The Winnipeg Humane Society urges pet owners to take their pets with them when an evacuation must occur.

Flood preparation for your pets

Have an emergency supply kit ready which includes:

• A three-day supply of food and drinking water, as well as bowls, cat litter, and a container to be used as a litter box
• Current photos and descriptions of your pets
• Up-to-date identification, including an additional tag with the phone number of someone out of the area in the event the pet becomes lost
• Medications, medical records and a first aid kit stored in a waterproof container
• Sturdy leashes, harnesses and carriers to transport pets safely, as well as blankets or towels for bedding and warmth
• Carriers large enough to comfortably house your pet for several hours or even days

Stay up to date on which evacuation shelters will accept pets. Plan to stay with family and friends first, a pet-friendly hotel second, and a pet-friendly evacuation centre third.

If you’re forced to leave your pet behind during an evacuation, inform your veterinarian of your whereabouts. As a precautionary measure, and in case your veterinarian also must evacuate, register your pets’ information in The Winnipeg Humane Society’s database by calling 204-982-2021. In addition, consider getting a microchip or using a national pet ID registry.

Click the link below for a detailed flood evacuation plan:

Flood Evacuation Preparation