Guest Author - Heather Thomas
No place in the world is immune to natural disaster. Hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and wildfires force people from their homes every year. Sadly, pets are often left behind because there is no plan to move them in the event of an evacuation. It is important to have an emergency preparedness plan not only for yourself but also for the pets in your life. Birds require a bit of extra planning due to their nature; a bird will not simply hop into the car with you like a dog.
Travel Cage
Keep a travel cage in your attic or garage for the possibility that you may need to evacuate with your bird. A birdcage is the best choice because they are made for perches and bird-friendly food and water dishes. A travel dog crate will work if you don’t have a spare birdcage and you do have a dog crate. If you have not planned in advance and must evacuate, as a last resort, put your bird in a cardboard box with holes punched in the top. However, there is a good chance your bird will chew its way out of the cardboard.
Provisions
Pack enough food and bottled water for your bird and yourself to last several days. When disaster hits, it may take several days before you can return to your home or before local stores restock their shelves.
Family or Friends
Make a plan to stay with family or friends in the event evacuation is ordered. Moving your bird to a private home versus a government shelter or hotel is a best-case scenario. Birds are sensitive to increased stress levels and also sense when they are surrounded by loved ones. Your stress level will be lower and thus, positively impact the stress levels of your bird.
Shelters
Local governments provide safe shelter locations for those who need to evacuate in the wake of a pending storm. However, these shelters do not normally allow pets. Contact government officials to find out which, if any, shelter locations allow pets. Have this information posted in your home so that when the need arises you know exactly where to go.
Hotels
If local shelters do not allow pets, call hotels along your potential evacuation route to identify hotels that allow pets. Make a list; you will likely need to call more than one hotel in the event of an actual disaster. Don’t wait until the last minute to decide to evacuate. Not only will this put you at risk of getting stuck on the road at the worst possible time but increases your chance of missing out on the few pet friendly hotel options.
The bottom line is, have a plan. If you don’t have a plan and find yourself in an emergency situation where you must evacuate, your pet may end up paying the ultimate price.
