The Ontario SPCA urges people to include pets in their emergency plans
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Stouffville, ON (May 8, 2023) – This week is Emergency Preparedness Week and the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society and the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs want to remind you to have an emergency preparedness plan in place that includes your furry family members.
Here are five tips to keep you and your furry family members safe in the event of an emergency:
- Put together an emergency preparedness kit containing everything you, your family, and your pets will need in the first 72 hours of an emergency. You should check your emergency kit at least twice a year and update it as necessary.
- Have an evacuation plan in place that includes your animals. Check to ensure evacuation destinations accept pets.
- Ensure your dog or cat is wearing a collar with an identification tag, ideally with your phone number or the number of a relative outside your area in case you can’t be reached by phone. It’s also important to have your pet microchipped to help increase the chances of being reunited in an emergency.
- Keep a current photo of your pet with you. Make sure it includes their name, address, and a brief description, including any unique markings, in case you need to claim your pet or share information about your lost pet during an emergency.
- Post an emergency decal on your front door to make first responders aware there are pets inside the home. If an emergency like a fire happens when you’re not home, this helps improve the chances your pets will be rescued or receive the care they need. Visit ontariospca.ca/ep
“We urge people to take the time to plan for the unexpected. By having a plan in place and the necessary emergency supplies to shelter in place, you will be in a better position to help the ones you love, including your pets,” says Jennifer Bluhm, Vice President, Community Outreach Services, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.
“We are proud to partner with the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society in observing Emergency Preparedness Week this May,” says Rob Grimwood, President, Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs. “As a non-profit organization committed to fire and life safety and the well-being of our community, we recognize the importance of being prepared for emergencies and disasters, including those that may impact our furry friends. By working together with the Ontario SPCA, we aim to raise awareness and promote preparedness measures that ensure the safety and welfare of both people and animals during times of crisis. This collaboration reflects our shared dedication to safeguarding lives, including those of our beloved pets, and underscores our commitment to being proactive in safeguarding our community’s welfare.”
For more emergency planning resources, and to request a free emergency decal to place on your front door to let first responders know there are pets inside, visit ontariospca.ca/ep
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MEDIA CONTACTS
Ontario SPCA and Humane Society
Media relations
905-898-7122 x 375
Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs
Media contact
Karthik Swaminathan
(905) 426-9865 x.1222
karthik.swaminathan@oafc.on.ca
The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society
The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is a registered charity that has been changing the lives of animals for 150 years. The Society provides care, comfort and compassion to animals in need in communities across Ontario. It values all animals and advocates to treat them with respect and kindness. The Society strives to keep pets and families together and do so through a variety of community support services, such as sheltering and adoptions, including emergency sheltering, feral cat management programs, animal transfers, food distribution, humane education, animal advocacy, and spay/neuter services.
The Ontario SPCA does not receive annual government funding and relies on donations to provide programs and services to help animals in need. To learn more, or to donate, visit ontariospca.ca. Charitable Business # 88969-1044-RR0002.
The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Provincial Office sits on the traditional territory of the Wendat, the Anishinabek Nation, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Mississaugas of Scugog, Hiawatha and Alderville First Nations and the Métis Nation. This territory was the subject of the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Iroquois Confederacy and the Ojibwe and allied nations to peaceably share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. The treaties that were signed for this particular parcel of land are collectively referred to as the Williams Treaties of 1923.
Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs
The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs represents the chief fire officers of the 437 municipal fire departments in the Province of Ontario. These chief officers are ultimately responsible, by statute, for the management and delivery of fire, rescue, and emergency response to the 15 million residents of Ontario.
The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs’ mission is to lead innovation and excellence in public and life safety. To achieve this, we provide a recognized, authoritative voice for all matters relating to the management and delivery of fire and emergency services in Ontario. We work cooperatively with the provincial government, key stakeholders, and other organizations to promote excellence and innovation in the areas of education and training, legislation and public policy, fire and membership services.