Emergency Preparedness

Flood Preparation for Your Pets

Your pets are very vulnerable when an emergency evacuation takes place, and The Winnipeg Humane Society urges pet owners to take their pets with them when an evacuation must occur.  Animals are members of your family and deserve the protection and security of safety preparation.  Here are some simple steps to improve your pet's chance of survival:

Have an emergency supply kit ready that 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 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 of towels for bedding and warmth.  Carriers should be 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. 

Upon evacuation, if a person is forced to leave their pet behind, 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 982-2021.  In addition consider getting a microchip or using a national pet ID registry such as PetLynx.

Click here for a list of pet friendly hotels in the Winnipeg area.  Feel free to print it off and keep if in your emergency kit, so that it is at your fingertips in the event of a flood.

Click here to learn how to prepare for flood conditions in rural manitoba.

Click here for a contact list of Emergency Managers for your region.

Click here to visit the Manitoba Flood Site.

General Emergency Preparedness

Is your pet ready?  Preparing now could save your pet’s life.

• Have pet supplies in the family's tornado-proof room or cellar – these items can be similar to those in your disaster/emergency kit (to learn what should be in an emergency kit visit getprepared.gc.ca).  
• Food, water, and treats in sufficient quantities should your town/city’s infrastructure be diminished and you are unable to get to the store.
• 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 to provide the animal with a cozy, secure hiding place to weather the storm.
• Keep visible and current identification on pet at all times.
• Train your dog to go to the 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.