September is National Preparedness Month, and it's time to take action to protect every member of your household – including your pets. With natural disasters on the rise and 15 billion-dollar U.S. disasters already reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in 2024, ensuring your pets are ready for emergencies can make all the difference.

(VWB North America in Hawaii)

Veterinarians Without Borders North America (VWB), a non-profit that impacts more than 1.5 million people and animals each year, is here to provide essential tips to keep your pets safe during hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires and more. A checklist can be found attached as a resource, and tips include:

• Don’t skip the kit. Have an evacuation plan and kit that accounts for your pet’s needs. Kit items can include food and water for 3-5 days, relevant documents such as digital and physical copies of your pet’s medical records and vaccination forms, medications, toys, leashes and stress-relieving items like peanut butter, cat nip and calming sprays.
• Implement identification. Make sure your pet has something to identify them, such as a proper tag or microchip.
• Acclimate in advance. Ensure your pet is properly sensitized to what an evacuation might be like. For example, you may want to acclimatize your cat to getting in a crate, being in a vehicle and wearing a leash.
• Alert before evacuating. Always take your pet with you if you can. If you cannot leave with your pet, be sure to notify those leading the evacuation response or the animal welfare organization that will be supporting relief efforts.

(Dr Tuma performing a health-check with evacuated dog)

Since 2005, VWB has provided on-the-ground emergency response efforts during pivotal natural disasters including the wildfires across northern Canada and Maui, Hawaii, Typhoon Bolaven which threatened the island of Saipan and the devastating Turkey earthquakes. Visit VWB North America’s website to learn more and support emergency response efforts in the U.S. and globally.