by Pia Silvani, CPDT-KA, Director of Behavior and Training

Most pet parents never think that it will happen to them, but it can at any moment. Well, it happened to us, here in Asheville during a time that we will never forget! Hurricane Helene came as a shock to all who live in Asheville and the surrounding areas. Flooding, tornados and landslides hit us without warning.  

Unfortunately, many people realized that they were not prepared for disasters such as Hurricane Helene. People were displaced overnight, lost everything and their beloved pets were not ready to live in crates or stay in hotels. 

If your pet has never been trained to a crate, carrier or riding in the car, you are putting additional stress on your pet when it is time to move and move fast!  

Cats  

It doesn’t take a cat long to figure out that being put in a carrier means something unpleasant is coming (i.e., car ride, trip to vet, etc.) Make a positive association by leaving the carrier out and open. You can put a towel with your scent inside along with treats, toys, catnip or soaked cotton balls with Feliway inside and rotate them whenever possible.  

Most cats are curious and will investigate. Once he is going in and out, put some kibble or canned food inside. Do not close the carrier until your cat is comfortable. Randomly leave your cat in the carrier for short periods of time and take your cat for a ride to nowhere.  

Dogs  

Crate training is not just for puppies. Dogs may need to be crated when traveling in a car, kennel boarding, hotel travel, vet visits, grooming, and more. A dog that likes his crate is easy to travel with and you can be comfortable knowing that he is not stressed.   

As with the cat carrier, make it a fun and safe place for your dog to go. Feed all of your dog’s meals in the crate and offer wonderful chew toys during non-eating times. Have a random schedule for crate time. This could be anywhere from five minutes to an hour. Exercising your dog before putting him into the crate is also helpful. Make it a comfy place to relax.   

Get your dog acclimated to riding in a car while in his crate. Not only is this a safety factor but he will be relaxed when you need to transport him. If he is a bit nervous, you can put an anxiety wrap or Thundershirt on him with a few drops of Chill Pill (aromatherapy mixture of lavender and Roman Chamomile).  

Other Pets  

Birds – Transport birds in a secure travel cage or carrier. Since birds typically don’t travel, you may want to get your bird acclimated to a blanket over her cage and take the bird on short trips around the neighborhood. Birds can get very cold or overheated, depending upon the area in which you reside. Blankets over the cage can keep the bird warm and a water bottle to spray the bird’s feathers can keep her cool.  

Small Animals – Many people have hamsters, gerbils, mice, guinea pigs, ferrets, and rabbits as pets. As with all animals, they should be transported in a safe carrier with proper bedding, food, and water. Small animals tend to like salt licks, hide boxes or tubes and a safe place to keep warm.  

Reptiles – Lizards can be transported like birds. Snakes may need to be transported in a pillowcase but cannot remain there as permanent housing. A heating pad or other warming device will help, as well as a tray for your pet to soak in.  

Lastly, a well-socialized dog is comfortable and relaxed around new people, animals and new places. They enjoy interactions with others and don’t show signs of fear, anxiety, stress or aggression. A well-socialized dog will be able to handle displacement much better than a dog that is fearful, stressed, anxious or aggressive around people and dogs.  

To help, socialize your dog by introducing him to other friendly dogs at parks, supervised play dates or hikes. Introduce him to adults by inviting people over who will give treats making people friends, not foes. Lastly, take your dog off property so he gets used to new sights, smells and sounds and doesn’t feel threatened by anyone or anything. 

Sign your dog up for a reward-based training class such as the Canine Manners class offered by Asheville Humane Society 

Being prepared is the key. Don’t leave your pet behind! #emergencypreparation