June is Pet Preparedness Month

June is National Pet Preparedness Month, and the Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA) and DC Health are urging pet owners to take proactive steps to ensure their pets' safety in the event of a disaster.

“Emergency preparedness must include every member of the family—including our pets,” said Dr. Ayanna Bennett, Director of DC Health. “We’re proud to partner with the Brandywine Valley SPCA to ensure that District residents have the tools and information they need to keep their pets safe before, during, and after an emergency.”

Together, BVSPCA and DC Health offer the following tips to help pet families prepare for emergencies:

• Microchip Your Pet: Ensure your pet is microchipped and that your contact information is current. This simple step can make all the difference in reuniting lost pets with their families during a disaster.
• Create a Pet Emergency Kit: Prepare an emergency kit with pet essentials that includes a leash or carrier, three days’ worth of food and water, medications, vaccination records, and recent photos of you with your pet.
• Make an Emergency Plan: Know where you can go that accepts pets. Identify pet-friendly hotels, boarding facilities, shelters, or homes of friends or relatives.

“Pets are family. When disaster strikes, if it’s not safe for you to stay in your home, it’s not safe for your pet either,” said Adam Lamb, Chief Executive Officer of the Brandywine Valley SPCA. “We encourage every pet owner to take these steps now, so no pet is left behind when disaster strikes” added Lamb.