How to Establish an Emergency Contact for Your Dog
Make a list of suitable family and friends., Ask them to be your emergency contact., Determine how much they are willing to help you., Consider having multiple contacts., Locate safe havens in case of a natural disaster.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Make a list of suitable family and friends.
Write a list of your trusted family, friends, and neighbors to see who might be willing to become your dog’s emergency contact.
Think carefully about who may be able to assist you.
An emergency contact may have to enter your home if you are hospitalized, incapacitated, or unable to return home.
Make sure that you trust them to do this.
The person should be able to provide for all of your dog’s needs.
For example, if you have an energetic or high-energy breed, you may not want to choose someone who lives in an apartment.
Instead, you may want to ask someone who lives in a house or has a fenced yard.
You should exclude people who are allergic or afraid of dogs.
If they have pets, make sure that your dog is compatible and friendly with them.An emergency contact should already know your dog, and your dog should be comfortable around them.
Do not choose someone if your dog acts nervous, aggressive, or shy around them.An emergency contact should live close enough that they can reach your home quickly in case of an emergency. -
Step 2: Ask them to be your emergency contact.
To ask, you should call or meet with your candidate.
Tell them that you are trying to prepare in case of an emergency, and ask them if they would be willing to take in your dog.
Emphasize that this in case of an emergency only.
You can say, “I am trying to find an emergency contact for my dog in case something happens to me.
I was wondering if you would be willing to do that.
I’m not asking you to dog sit; this is really just to make sure that Fido is taken care of in case the worst happens.” You might also want to give them an idea of what taking care of your dog is like.
You can say, “Fido is a very sweet and quiet dog, and he is house-trained.
You would have to walk him twice a day though because he has a ton of energy.” , Your emergency contact may take in your dog for a few days if there is an accident, but they may not agree to adopt your dog long-term or in the event of your death.You should make sure you understand the circumstances that somebody is willing to take in your dog.
You should ask: “How long would you be able to take my dog in for?” “If there was a natural disaster, do you think that you would be able to take in my dog? Or would you have to evacuate as well?” “If I died, do you think you would be able to adopt my dog permanently?” , Depending on the circumstance, you may want to have a few different options for emergency contacts.
If one contact is unavailable, another may be able to help in their place.
This will ensure that someone is able to care for your dog in case of an emergency.
If someone takes in your dog but is suddenly unable to continue care for them, they can contact the other emergency contacts.
When you choose your contact, you should let them know who else may be able to help. , If you are evacuated for any reason, you may not be able to take your pet with you, as many disaster shelters will not take pets, and your normal emergency contact may have to evacuate as well.
In addition to finding a local emergency contact, you should find a friend or family member outside of your local area who can take in your pet.You should also look for emergency vets, kennels, and boarding facilities where you can take your dog.Find out in advance which hotels accept dogs, as you may be able to evacuate to one of these instead.
Many shelters will fill up during a natural disaster or emergency.
If you have advance warning, you should plan for your dog’s evacuation early. -
Step 3: Determine how much they are willing to help you.
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Step 4: Consider having multiple contacts.
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Step 5: Locate safe havens in case of a natural disaster.
Detailed Guide
Write a list of your trusted family, friends, and neighbors to see who might be willing to become your dog’s emergency contact.
Think carefully about who may be able to assist you.
An emergency contact may have to enter your home if you are hospitalized, incapacitated, or unable to return home.
Make sure that you trust them to do this.
The person should be able to provide for all of your dog’s needs.
For example, if you have an energetic or high-energy breed, you may not want to choose someone who lives in an apartment.
Instead, you may want to ask someone who lives in a house or has a fenced yard.
You should exclude people who are allergic or afraid of dogs.
If they have pets, make sure that your dog is compatible and friendly with them.An emergency contact should already know your dog, and your dog should be comfortable around them.
Do not choose someone if your dog acts nervous, aggressive, or shy around them.An emergency contact should live close enough that they can reach your home quickly in case of an emergency.
To ask, you should call or meet with your candidate.
Tell them that you are trying to prepare in case of an emergency, and ask them if they would be willing to take in your dog.
Emphasize that this in case of an emergency only.
You can say, “I am trying to find an emergency contact for my dog in case something happens to me.
I was wondering if you would be willing to do that.
I’m not asking you to dog sit; this is really just to make sure that Fido is taken care of in case the worst happens.” You might also want to give them an idea of what taking care of your dog is like.
You can say, “Fido is a very sweet and quiet dog, and he is house-trained.
You would have to walk him twice a day though because he has a ton of energy.” , Your emergency contact may take in your dog for a few days if there is an accident, but they may not agree to adopt your dog long-term or in the event of your death.You should make sure you understand the circumstances that somebody is willing to take in your dog.
You should ask: “How long would you be able to take my dog in for?” “If there was a natural disaster, do you think that you would be able to take in my dog? Or would you have to evacuate as well?” “If I died, do you think you would be able to adopt my dog permanently?” , Depending on the circumstance, you may want to have a few different options for emergency contacts.
If one contact is unavailable, another may be able to help in their place.
This will ensure that someone is able to care for your dog in case of an emergency.
If someone takes in your dog but is suddenly unable to continue care for them, they can contact the other emergency contacts.
When you choose your contact, you should let them know who else may be able to help. , If you are evacuated for any reason, you may not be able to take your pet with you, as many disaster shelters will not take pets, and your normal emergency contact may have to evacuate as well.
In addition to finding a local emergency contact, you should find a friend or family member outside of your local area who can take in your pet.You should also look for emergency vets, kennels, and boarding facilities where you can take your dog.Find out in advance which hotels accept dogs, as you may be able to evacuate to one of these instead.
Many shelters will fill up during a natural disaster or emergency.
If you have advance warning, you should plan for your dog’s evacuation early.
About the Author
William Young
Writer and educator with a focus on practical organization knowledge.
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