In honor of May being Wildfire Awareness Month, we want to ensure that pet parents across the country have the information they need to stay prepared and keep their pets safe before wildfires occur. See our wildfire pet preparedness tips below.

1. Be sure to sign up for free emergency alerts from your local government. Every state is different, so, to sign up for emergency alerts in your area, look online for local resources. You should be able to sign up for text alerts to come straight to your phone.
    
2. Create a disaster preparedness kit in case you need to shelter in place or evacuate. This kit should include essential items such as a pet carrier, medical records, water, food and water bowls, pet food, cat litter/pan and any necessary pet medications to last at least ten days.
    
3. Familiarize yourself with the three wildfire evacuation levels: Get Ready, Be Set and Go Now. Create an evacuation plan in advance and evacuate quickly with your pets when directed to do so by local officials.
    
4. As part of your emergency planning process, use local resources to identify pet friendly lodging options. Many hotels and shelters do not accept animal guests other than service animals, so it’s important to know in advance where you can go with your pets.
    
5. Share your emergency plan with a trusted friend, family member or neighbor so they can help get your pets to safety if you are away from home when an evacuation order comes in. Keep in mind that pets may be more comfortable with a person they have met before. You can also find alert decals and signage to post in your front windows to alert emergency services that there are pets in the home.
    
6. Include your pets in evacuation drills so that they become used to entering and traveling in their carriers calmly.
    
7. Consider having your pet microchipped by your veterinarian and ensure the owner contact information in your pet’s microchip account is correct.  
    
8. Make sure that your pet’s vaccinations are current, and all dogs and cats are wearing collars with securely fastened up-to-date identification. Many pet shelters require proof of current vaccinations to reduce the spread of disease.
    
9. Prepare your pet’s crate in advance and even consider crating them early if you know you’ll need to evacuate. Not only will this ensure you’re ready to go when you do decide to evacuate, this practice will also enhance your pet’s safety and help reduce stress.
    
10. If you do evacuate, never leave your pet behind or tether them to poles or trees, which prevents them from escaping smoke and flames and getting to safety.
     
11. For assistance with your pets or other animals during wildfires or other emergency situations, please contact your local emergency management agency.