Emergency Pet Preparedness

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Pets are an important part of our lives. Help keep them safe by creating an emergency plan in case disaster strikes.

Keep Up Pet Maintenance

Pets should always wear fitted collars with up-to-date identification.
Consider microchipping your pet. Register and keep a record of the microchip number.
Keep vaccinations up-to-date with proof for shelters.
If your pet does not like to travel, consider asking your vet for an anti-anxiety prescription.

Create an Emergency Plan

Identify pet-friendly lodging along your evacuation route.
Most emergency shelters do not accept pets. Maintain a list of boarding facilities, animal shelters, veterinarians or others who will accept your pet in an emergency.
Make plans for your pet if you’re away during an evacuation order for a neighbor, friend or relative to retrieve your pet. Give them a key to your house in advance.

Prepare an Emergency Pet Kit

Sturdy extra leash/harness
3-7 days supply pet food and water and bowls
Manual can opener for canned food
Kitty litter/pan
Medications and medical records stored in a waterproof container
Pet bed, if easily transportable, to reduce pet stress
Current photo of you and your pets for identification in case they get lost

During an Event

Evacuation Tips

Consider evacuating early, before an order, so you are not forced to leave your pet at home.
While driving, keep your pet in a carrier or an approved safety harness that attaches to the seat belt.
Stop regularly to allow your pet to stretch and have some water.
Never leave your pet alone in a parked car.

After a Disaster

Do not allow your pets to roam loose. They could get lost or hurt among debris.
Resume a normal routine as soon as possible.
Be patient if your pet experiences behavioral challenges and anxiety after an event.

Pet Injury Coverage
MAPFRE Pet Injury coverage may be added to your auto policy, with up to $500 toward veterinary fees or replacement of your pet for a covered loss. Ask your agent for more information.

Sources
https://www.ready.gov/pets
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/pet-disaster-preparedness.html
https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/make-disaster-plan-your-pets
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/disaster-preparedness
https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/emergencies/index.html

Please Note: This is meant only to provide general information about commonly available insurance coverages. Except as expressly noted, this content is not intended to describe any specific coverage offered by MAPFRE Insurance. No coverage is provided, bound or guaranteed by this article. Available coverages, credits and discounts vary from state to state and are subject to eligibility criteria and policy terms/conditions, which will control in the event of conflict between this article and your insurance policy. For information about your policy, please review your individual policy contract and speak with your insurance representative.

MAPFRE Insurance® is a brand and service mark of MAPFRE U.S.A. Corp. and its affiliates, American Commerce Insurance Company^SM (Cal. COA 4928-8); Citation Insurance Company^SM; The Commerce Insurance Company^SM; Commerce West Insurance Company^SM (Cal. COA 1372-2); and MAPFRE Insurance Company^SM (Cal. COA 3039-5). Not all products available in all states.

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