If a big earthquake hit South Carolina, would your dog be safe? How to protect your pets
While predicting when a large earthquake might strike is currently impossible, preparing for them is not, including when it comes to protecting pets.
A wave of earthquakes has shaken South Carolina in recent months — more than 30 since December, according to the state Department of Natural Resources. The most recent earthquake, a 3.5 magnitude, hit the Elgin area late Wednesday evening. Another quake — this one measuring 3.6 in magnitude — was recorded about 7 p.m. Wednesday, just under 4 miles from Elgin.
Experts say there’s no way to predict when earthquakes occur or if much more powerful and damaging one could be on the way, planning ahead is always an option. And planning is particularly important for pets, many of which will likely be outside and frightened if a large earthquake strikes.
Below are ways to prepare pets for earthquakes and what to do with them if a disaster occurs, according to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division.
Earthquake preparation
- Maintain a list of locations and phone numbers of potential refuge sites: specialized pet shelters, boarding facilities, veterinary clinics, pet-friendly hotels, stables or homes of friends and relatives. Share the list with family and neighbors.
- Choose and use an ID method for each pet. Examples include microchipping, ID tags on collar, and photos of you with your animal. This is extremely important if your animals become lost.
- Keep your pets’ immunizations, especially rabies, current.
- Maintain animals’ health records, proof of vaccinations, microchip numbers, and necessary prescriptions with your other important family papers.
- Maintain a disaster ‘go kit’ for each animal: means of confinement (cage or carrier large enough for them to stand and turn around in), leash, harness, bowls, three days of water and food, medications, specific care instructions, litterbox and clean-up supplies.
- Meet with or notify your county emergency manager if you wish them to be aware of special needs you may have, such as assistance with evacuation if you possess a guide dog or other service animal.
Immediate Earthquake Aftermath
Damage from the quake might cause our familiar landscape to be unrecognizable. Pets might be displaced from their homes. The immediate focus for emergency workers during this time will be human safety.
When circumstances allow, there will be personnel who are trained in animal emergencies integrated into the incident management structure to assist emergency workers and citizens with animal needs. These needs may include ‘rescue’ (capture and transport to safety), ID, treatment, temporary shelter and care and reuniting with owners.
Public information about options for assistance with animals will be provided as soon as possible from the South Carolina Emergency Management Division by way of news briefings, telephone hotlines and social media sources.
After the Earthquake
If your animals cannot be found, contact your veterinarian, animal care and control office, and or county and state emergency managers who can provide you with search lists and databases of animals that have been found and sheltered during the event. When you and your pets return home, check to be sure your surroundings are clear of dangers such as downed power lines, debris and displaced wild animals.
This story was originally published May 10, 2022 at 9:47 AM.
