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8 | Four Seasons Hemet Herald | JUNE 2025 | Prepare Your Pets for Disasters Your pets are an important member of your family. ey need to be included in your family's emergency plan. To prepare follow these tips with your pets in mind: Make a plan. Build an emergency kit. Stay informed. Make a Plan: If you have a plan in place for you and your pets, you will likely encounter less diculty, stress and worry when you need to make a decision during an emergency. If ocially asked to evacuate, your pet should evacuate too. If you leave your pets behind, they may end up lost, injured or worse. ings to include in your plan: Have an evacuation plan for your pet. Many public shelters and hotels do not allow pets. Know a safe place where you can take your pets before disasters and emergencies happen. Develop a buddy system. Plan with neighbors, friends or relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so. Have your pet microchipped. Keep your address and phone number up-to-date and include information for an emergency contact outside of your immediate area. Contact your local emergency management oce, animal shelter or animal control oce if you're unsure how to care for your pet in case of an emergency. Build a Kit for Your Pet: Just as you do with your family's emergency supply kit, think rst about the basics for survival, such as food and water. Have two kits, one larger kit for sheltering in place and one lightweight version if you need to evacuate. Review your kits regularly to ensure that their contents, especially foods and medicines, are fresh. Here are some items you may want to include in an emergency kit for your pet: • Food. Several days' supply of food in an airtight, waterproof container. • Water. A water bowl and several days' supply of water. • Medicine. An extra supply of the medicine your pet takes on a regular basis. • First aid kit. Ask your veterinarian about what is appropriate. • Collar with ID tag and a harness or leash with a backup of each. • Have copies of your pet's registration information and other relevant documents. Also electronically. • Traveling bag, crate or sturdy carrier, for each pet. • Grooming items. Pet shampoo, conditioner, etc, to clean your pet. • Sanitation needs. Include pet litter, litter box (if appropriate), newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags for your pet's sanitation needs. • Familiar items. Put favorite toys, treats or bedding in your kit. Stay Informed: Being prepared and staying informed of current conditions. Pay attention to emergency alerts and warnings sent by state and local public safety ocials. For more information, go to Prepare Your Pets for Disasters | Ready.gov. Our Mission e Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program is designed to increase individual and community preparedness and self-reliance in the event of man- made or natural disasters. CERT is recognized by FEMA as an important part of a community's disaster preparedness readiness. Four Seasons CERT needs your participation. Become a Street Captain or CERT Auxiliary. Be a part of the best CERT in the valley. For more information visit https://fscert.org/cert-volunteer Learn how to prepare at fscert.org. Plan. Prepare. Survive. Emergency Preparedness