How to Keep Pets Safe During an Earthquake

Elizabeth Muenzen August 20, 2021

Most families have detailed disaster plans in the event of a natural disaster such as an earthquake. However, we sometimes forget to include our pets in those plans. Keeping pets safe during an earthquake requires careful planning and consideration. We’ll go over the steps you can take to protect your pet during an earthquake.

Keep Pets Secured

The shock of an earthquake often causes pets to flee in search of safety. If possible, keep your pets secured during an earthquake, ideally in a hard-shell carrier or crate. This ensures that they won’t bolt while also protecting them from falling debris. If you don’t have a crate or carrier handy, use a leash to keep dogs close by.

If you can do so safely, close off any dog doors to prevent your pets from running outside. Every Endura Flap Door comes with a secure Locking Cover to block access to the flap when needed.

Update Identification Methods

In the event that your pet escapes during an earthquake, proper identification is crucial. Make sure your dog or cat is microchipped. Dogs should wear a collar with current identification details and contact information. If your pet escapes, visiting local shelters once it’s safe is a good start to track them down. It’s a good idea to have a recent picture of your pet on hand that you can post around your neighborhood, or show to shelters to be reunited with your pet.

Keep Health Records Handy

If you need to evacuate your home during or after an earthquake, it’s essential to have current information on hand for your pet. A digital or physical copy of veterinary contact information and records, microchip ID details, and other important documents can prove incredibly helpful during a natural disaster. Having these documents ready to go prevents you from scrambling to find them during an earthquake.

dog sleeping on couch, swaddled in blankets

Pack a Safety Kit

Just as you would pack an emergency kit for your family with food, water, and other essentials, do the same for your pet! Your pet’s safety kit can have a week’s worth of food, water bottles, bowls, toys, waste bags or cat litter, and other important items to keep them happy and healthy if you need to leave home quickly. It’s also a good idea to throw a first-aid kit in with your pet’s bag for emergency use. Tweezers, hydrogen peroxide, cotton balls, and any necessary medications are important to have on hand in case your pet needs on-the-spot medical care.

These steps can help you prepare yourself and your pets for an earthquake, ensuring everyone stays safe. If you live in an area with frequent earthquakes, consider installing a high-quality pet door such as the Endura Thermo Panel 3e. The dual-pane glass in the Thermo panel is much sturdier than single-pane glass, reducing the risk of cracking during an earthquake. Nonetheless, make sure you and your pets take cover under a sturdy surface away from windows and sliding doors, covering your neck and the back of your head.

Written by

Content Specialist
DOG PERSON🐶

Pets: My dog Benji is mixed Yorkie, Poodle, Chihuahua, and MaltiPom (YorkiPooChiMaltiPom?), yet he mysteriously bears no resemblance to any of these breeds.
Fun stuff: I love to cook!