General and Seasonal Tips for Pet Owners

Include Pets in Fire Safety Programs

Pets belong in your fire safety program. Install smoke detectors and plan your family's ( including your pets') safe evacuation in advance. Remember your pets' usual hiding and sleeping places. During a fire, they'll be terrified, and are likely to hide in their favorite retreats.

If possible, escort your pets to safety on leashes, or in crates or cages. In an emergency, a cat can be safely carried inside a pillow case. Obedience-trained dogs will be more likely to cooperate with their owners during the evacuation and ensuing chaos.

Include some of your pets' food in your family's emergency kit. Pets' health records should also be included, as a boarding kennel will require these documents.

Always identify your pets with collars and current license tags and vaccination tags. Proper identification is crucial if pets and owners are separated during or after the fire.

Take your animals to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Pets can suffer from serious smoke inhalation in a matter of minutes, and may also have burns underneath their fur or feathers.

Reprinted courtesy of The American Humane Association

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