EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — As summer travel and vacation season approaches, El Paso Animal Services is urging pet owners to prepare for emergencies ahead of National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day on May 14.
The awareness campaign encourages families to include pets in their disaster plans, especially as severe weather, wildfires, and other emergencies become more common during warmer months.
Officials recommend microchipping pets, updating identification tags, and preparing emergency “go bags” stocked with at least five days of food, water, medications, and comfort items.
The agency also advises pet owners to keep veterinary and vaccination records in a waterproof folder, identify pet-friendly hotels or boarding facilities in advance, and designate a trusted friend or family member who can help care for animals during an emergency.
National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day was established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 2010 to raise awareness about protecting pets and other animals during disasters.
The observance grew in part from lessons learned after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when hundreds of thousands of pets were displaced or killed during the storm and evacuation efforts.
Emergency management officials have since emphasized that disaster preparedness plans should include pets, noting that many people are reluctant to evacuate if they cannot bring their animals with them. The federal PETS Act, passed in 2006, requires state and local emergency plans to address the needs of household pets and service animals during disasters.
El Paso Animal Services also recommends keeping recent photos of pets and owners together in case animals become separated during an evacuation.
After an emergency, owners are advised to keep pets leashed and gradually help them return to normal routines while watching for hazards.
More information and preparedness tips are available on the El Paso Animal Services website.
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