Tips for pet owners on preparing for emergency evacuation

The Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service is offering pet owners tips on preparing for an emergency evacuation:

• Make sure your pet is wearing up-to-date identification in the form of a license and microchip.

• Create an emergency kit before disaster strikes that includes food, water, medicines (with instructions) for five days, medical and veterinary records (since many temporary boarding facilities require vaccination information), a carrier, toys, a blanket or bed, a litter box and litter, and current photos of your pet with a description in case they get lost.

• Make a plan for a shelter by finding out what hotels outside of your immediate area might accept pets and make a list of potential boarding facilities, including phone numbers. Check with friends or relatives outside the area to see if they would be willing to help.

• If something happens when you are not in town, make arrangements for a trusted neighbor to take your pets and meet you at a specified location. Make sure that person is comfortable with your pet and knows where your pets are likely to be.

For more information, call SCRAPS at (509) 477-2532.