This post was written by the Regional Coordinator of Pet Evacuation Team, Vikki Sheerer, an expert in evacuating animals in times of crisis. The Pet Evacuation Team is a local non-profit organization that rescues pets and farm animals across Central Oregon during emergencies.
As fire season nears in Central Oregon, Vikki wanted to share some tips so that you and your pets are prepared in case you experience an emergency evacuation from fire, flooding, or other natural disasters.
Sign Up for Emergency Alerts in Your Area
IMAGINE THIS: You get an alert that your neighborhood is being evacuated: Level 3 Go Now! That is, of course, assuming you have signed up for Emergency Alerts in your community. To sign up for emergency alerts, visit this link.
Are you aware that authorities WILL NOT let you go back into your neighborhood to retrieve your pets?
Nope. It’s their job to keep humans out of the wildfire zone. That is why you need to have a plan for your pets NOW. They depend on you!
Prepare A “Go-Bag” For Each Pet
Prepare a go-bag for each pet, including a crate.
Make a Plan with your Neighbor
Make a plan with a trusted neighbor, friend or family member. Introduce them to your pets. Exchange house keys. Show them where your go-bag is. They may be able to bring your pets out to you.
Crate Train Your Pet
Crate train your pet now! Start by making it fun to enter the crate. Use high value treats and lots of praise. Remember for cats, the crate will need a small litter box.
Evacuations can be hectic, long and frustrating.
The last thing you need is to lose your pet amid all the confusion. Your pets may get along great during normal circumstances, but when emotions are high, there is smoke and sirens, you cannot predict how your pet will react.
Play it safe and have a crate for each animal. If you end up waiting at an evacuation center, this will protect your pets from other animals, too.
Evacuate early
Evacuate early. Don’t wait for the mandatory evacuation order. It’s much less stressful for everyone – including your dog.
Keep Your Dog’s Tag Updated
Be sure each animal has a collar and tag WITH CURRENT INFORMATION. Most folks do not have microchip readers, so visible ID is imperative.
Unfortunately, your dog won’t act like themselves during these situations, so make sure if someone finds them, they can be led back to you.
ALWAYS Bring Your Pets With You
If you evacuate, take your pet. If it isn’t safe for you, it isn’t safe for your pets. You have no way of knowing how long you’ll be kept out of the area. Remember to make plans for ALL your pets. Including feral or outdoor cats, horses and farm animals. These plans can be lifesavers.
The Pet Evacuation Team is deployed by Emergency Services and the Red Cross to assist with caring for the animals of evacuees.
If you find yourself in a situation where you cannot keep your animals with you, PET will be set up to help, probably at a nearby fairgrounds. Luckily, The Pet Evacuation Team has cared for all types of animals including horses, sheep, goats, chickens, pigs, ducks, and of course dogs and cats, for over 20 years.
PET is financed entirely by donations to purchase our trailers and equipment.
If you would like to get involved in PET Evacuation Team’s lifesaving work, contact Vikki at (541) 610-6628.
Author: Ely Twiggs
Ely's love for the outdoors and having first hand experience of the shortness of life was the impetus for her move from Australia into an RV to travel the US. When she got to Bend, she knew this was the place. After creating The Dog in Us, a multi-channel platform about exploring National Parks with Dogs, she wanted to bring dog-approved resources to a local community she loves. Enter The Dog Guide Bend, a resource made for the Bend Dog Community. Ely is the guardian of two rescue dogs, Alaska and Smoky Joe, and they are the center of her universe. Ely and her husband Tom run a mobile RV repair business called Meet You There RV Repair & Inspection.