National Disaster Preparedness Month: How to Keep Your Dog Safe During a Wildfire or Emergency in Central Oregon

September is National Disaster Preparedness Month, making it the perfect time for Central Oregon dog parents to create an emergency plan that includes their four-legged family members. Here in Bend, Sunriver, Redmond and throughout Central Oregon, wildfire, smoke, extreme weather and unexpected emergencies can happen quickly. Taking a little time now to prepare can make a stressful situation much easier if you ever need to leave home with your dog. Start with a simple pet emergency kit that includes several days of food and water, medications, a leash and harness, waste bags, a familiar comfort item, and copies of important veterinary records. Make sure your dog is wearing current identification tags and is microchipped with your contact information up to date. Keep a recent photo of your dog on your phone in case you become separated. It's also important to know ahead of time where you can go with your pet if you're evacuated, since not every shelter or lodging facility accepts animals. If wildfire smoke affects our area, remember that dogs can be affected by poor air quality too. When outdoor air quality is unhealthy, consider replacing long outdoor activities with safe indoor enrichment and exercise options. Most importantly, don't wait for an evacuation order to figure out your plan. Know where you're going, know what you're taking, and make sure your dog is ready to go. A little preparation today can help protect the member of your family who depends on you most. 🐾❤️

Dog Emergency Preparedness Checklist

Before an emergency happens, make sure you have:

• Food and fresh water

• Medications and supplements

• Leash, harness and extra collar

• Current ID tags

• Microchip information

• Veterinary records

• Recent photos of your dog

• Crate or carrier, if appropriate

• Waste bags

• Familiar blanket, toy or comfort item

• Emergency contact information

• A list of pet-friendly evacuation locations

And don't forget one of the most important things: practice getting your dog ready to leave. If your dog is comfortable getting into their crate, wearing their harness and calmly getting into the vehicle, an actual emergency will be much less stressful.

Preparedness isn't about expecting the worst.

It's about being ready to protect the best. ❤️🐶

Until next week!

-Bend Barks & Rec

Serving the Bend, Redmond, Sunriver area (Including Tumalo & Three Rivers)