Pet Safety When Disaster Strikes #PetPrepared

This post is sponsored by Hill's Food, Shelter & Love® Initiative and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping promote National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day, but we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.


Pets are precious family members and we want to keep them safe and healthy. No one wants to imagine what might happen if personally affected by disaster, but being prepared for such an event can sometimes make the difference between life and death. I know I'm sounding dramatic, but this time it's prudent to pay attention to my drama. Later you can go back to poking fun at my histrionics regarding whether or not I remembered to pull my red leggings out of the load of whites that's now in the washing machine.

I can't imagine being separated from this guy.

I live in Minnesota, where we have a tornado season. Within 25 miles of where I sit right now,  an entire neighbor hood was leveled in 2008. I hope I never have to live through that kind of devastation.

Animal shelters especially feel the impact following disasters. Because people can become separated from their pets, shelters are often faced with caring for the animals until they're reunited with their families. This can be a highly stressful situation for many shelters who are already struggling to house and care for its residents. Thankfully, Hill's Disaster Relief Network  is positioned to to quickly respond with shipments of pet food to post-disaster communities. Hill's created this first-of-its-kind national network in 2013 as an expansion of its Food, Shelter & Love® program

Photo courtesy of Hill's Pet Nutrition.

In the last three years, Hill's delivered free pet food to more than 60 different shelters and vet clinics across the country in response to 25 major incidents. That's some significant relief!

FEMA National Pet Disaster Preparedness Day is May 14, so now is the perfect time for you to take some steps to ensure your pet's safety during an emergency.

Hill's recommends the following seven tips:

• Make sure your pet can be identified with current information on a microchip or collar ID tag.
• Prepare a "Pet Emergency To-Go Kit" which should include first aid supplies and guidebook; a three-day supply of pet food in a waterproof container; bottled water; a safety harness and leash; waste clean-up supplies, medications and medical records; a contact list of vets and pet care organizations; information on your pet's feeding routine and behavioral issues; comfort toys and a blanket.
• Display a pet rescue decal on your front door or window (include vet contact information).
• Learn the places where your pet likes to hide when frightened.
• Identify locations you can take your pet in the case of an evacuation. Not all disaster shelters accept pets, so check with friends or relatives and scout out pet-friendly hotels.
• Carry a photo of your pet in the case of separation.
• If you need to evacuate, consider the safety of a pet carrier.

So you can remember all of this, here's a handy infographic you can save and print.

Phoebe's excited about helping me with my emergency plan. Can't you tell?

Hill's mission is based on four pillars: volunteer, donate, choose, and adopt. They've provided over $230 million worth of nutritious food to nearly 1,000 shelters, and they're ready to spring into action 365 days a year. What a commitment!

I would hate to think about becoming separated from my cats after a devastating event -- and I don't have a plan. Now I feel like I have some practical instructions for disaster preparedness. I hope I never have to use them, but I'll be ready.

You can connect with Hill's on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.



This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Hill’s® Pet Nutrition, Inc. The opinions and text are all mine.

#HillsPet Disaster Relief Network: Is Your Pet Prepared for an Emergency?

It's not something we like to think about, but what would happen if there were an emergency and you and your human and furry family needed to be prepared? Many of us -- especially if we live in a disaster-prone area -- have devised a plan for the humans, but what would happen to our beloved animal family members?

I would never want anything to happen to my human and cat kids -- I need an emergency plan!

Preparing to write this article made me really stop and think about those questions. I live in Minnesota, so our chances of being affected by a hurricane or earthquake are pretty much nil. We do, however, have a tornado season and every time I hear the ear-splitting siren permeate the air, I freak out. Where is my husband? Where are my kids? Where are my cats? I'm a little bit embarrassed to admit I don't really have an official plan.

Last year I visited Hill's headquarters in Topeka, Kansas. Most people recognize Hill's as a pet food manufacturer, but -- what what's a surprise for many -- is the extensive amount of work they do in the way of helping shelter animals, especially in the face of disasters. I think the passionate, heartfelt presentation about their outreach effects was my favorite part of the whole visit. It's so refreshing to see giant corporations step it up and make a difference in the lives of others.

Since 2002, the Hill's Food, Shelter & Love Program has donated over $240 million worth of Science Diet brand food to over 1,000 animal shelters nationwide. They've helped over 7 million pets (and counting) find new homes. In addition, the program helps feed more than 100,000 homeless pets every day.

Hills' Disaster Relief Network has a strong record of quickly responding during emergencies, including Hurricanes Sandy, Isaac and Katrina, The Waldo Canyon wildfire near Colorado Springs, and the tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri. They even assisted in the aftermath of Japan's tsunami. Hopefully, you and I won't be faced with recovery from devastations such as these, but it's critical to have a plan for ourselves and our pets in place.

Hill's advises us to take the following steps to prepare your pet for an emergency event, including evacuation:

• Make sure your pet is equipped with a microchip or collar ID tag, with updated contact information.
• Prepare an easily accessible emergency box of pet supplies. The box should include: a first aid kit and guidebook, bottled water and a 3-day supply of pet food stored in a waterproof container, a safety harness and leash, waste clean-up supplies, medications and medical records, a contact list of veterinary and pet care organizations, information on your pet's feeding routine and any behavioral issues, comfort toys and a blanket.
• Display a pet rescue decal on your front door or window to let first responders know there is a pet in the house. Include veterinary information.
• Identify places in the immediate area where you may take your pet during an evacuation, keeping in mind disaster shelters may not be able to shelter animals. Scout out pet-friendly hotels/motels and connect with family or friends who may be able to offer shelter.
• During an evacuation, consider taking a carrier or kennel for animal transport and safekeeping.
• Carry a photo of your pet with you and take note of where in your house your pet likes to hide. Finding them quickly in an emergency is key.

Would you like to learn more about Hill's outreach programs that helps animals? Today they are BlogPaws #BlogPawsChat sponsor on Twitter, and you're invited. They'll be discussing their programs and you'll have the opportunity to answer questions. The chat is from 8-10:00 p.m. EDT. Follow @BlogPaws and @HillsPet, and join the chat!


This post is being sponsored by Hills. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hills Science Diet for cats, but Catladyland only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hills Pets Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.

How to Help Animals Affected by Hurricane Sandy

By now, it's clear many were affected by the devastation of Hurricane Sandy earlier this week. Some lost their home and all their belongings and are living in shelters. Some of those people share their home with companion animals and would never consider leaving them behind. World Vets, an international education and disaster relief organization is working closely with the local rescue organizations to provide aid where needed.

For now, they have provided links to articles and resources that contain valuable information for those affected. Please share this post and check the links often, as information may continue to be updated.

Hurricane Sandy Lost and Found Pets Facebook page

Shelters Accommodating Pets

Red Paw Emergency Relief Team

Baltimore Shelters Preparing for Cleanup


To learn more about World Vets and their mission and relief efforts, visit their website or Facebook page. No matter where you live, a donation to their organization helps them better serve animals affected by disasters.