After the Disaster

Planning and preparation will help you weather the disaster, but your home may be a very different place afterwards, whether you have taken shelter at home or elsewhere.

• Don't allow your companion animals to roam loose. Familiar landmarks and smells might be gone, and your companion animal will probably be disoriented. Companion animals can easily get lost in such situations. They will also not recognize the danger in downed power lines, deposits of toxic materials from a fire, and other things they may encounter after a disaster.
• Keep dogs on leashes and keep cats in carriers inside the house (or confined to a secure room) if your house is damaged and they could escape and become lost.
• Be patient with your animals after a disaster. Try to get them back into their normal routines as soon as possible, and be ready for behavioural problems (sleeplessness, anxiety, aggressiveness) that may result from the stress of the situation.
• If behavioural problems persist, of if your companion animal seems to be having any health problems (diarrhoea, not eating), talk to your veterinarian.