Winter Preparedness Week: Preparing animals for the unexpected is essential

With winter around the corner, the Charlottesville-UVA-Albemarle Office of Emergency Management, Albemarle County Police Animal Control Unit, and the Virginia Extension Agent encourage all animal owners to get prepared now.

Owners of domestic animals and livestock should always be thinking about the “what if?” What if you have a medical emergency and have an extended stay at the hospital? What if there is an ice storm and you are unable to get home for 2-3 days?  What if a severe storm damages water and power utilities?

These are just a few examples of the type of “what if” scenarios animal owners should plan for.

Winter preparedness week (December 11 – 17) is the perfect time to take steps to ensure all animals and owners are prepared.
Steps to Being Prepared:

1. Have a plan
2. Be able to provide proper housing and shelter for all animals
3. Know how to store and provide enough water for 3 days
4. Have enough food to provide your animals for 3 days
5. Have an evacuation plan
6. Know basic first aid for your animals
7. Have proper documentation and identification for all animals

For more information on how to ensure you and your pets are prepared, visit communityemergency.org.