The most important thing a person can do is to plan ahead. If you are asked to evacuate, you need to bring your pets with you. You need to start thinking today about where you will take your pets -- ask a dependable friend or relative who lives some distance from the evacuation area if you and/or your pets can stay with them until the all clear is given. An alternative is to find a pet friendly motel. There a number of them listed on the web:

http://www.pet-friendly-hotels.net/pet-friendly-hotels-newjersey.html

http://www.bringfido.com/lodging/state/new_jersey/

http://www.funnewjersey.com/upload_user/Weekend_Getaways/HOTELS.HTM

You should have a portable pet carrier for each animal and identification with each animal. Bring copies of the pet's licenses, leashes, water and food bowls, pet foods, bottled water, special medications and instructions for their administration, any special needs for your pet, blankets, handy wipes, paper towels and litter or bedding.

Go to http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/ah/pdf/petbro.pdf for more information on emergency planning for pets.

Go to http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/ah/pdf/livestockbro.pdf for more information on emergency planning for livestock.

Go to http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/ah/prog/helpfullinks.html for other helpful links.

Listen for public safety announcements and if you are called to evacuate -- DO NOT leave your pets behind!

Plan for Emergencies

You can begin this process by gathering family members and making sure each person is well-informed on potential hazards and community plans (Getting Informed ). Discuss with them what you would do if family members are not home when a warning is issued. Additionally, your family plan should address the following:

• Escape routes
• Evacuation plans
• Family communications
• Utility shut-off and safety
• Insurance and vital records
• Special needs
• Care for pets: Information for pet owners
• Care for livestock: Information for livestock owners
• Safety skills

Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit

You may need to survive on your own after a disaster. This means having your own food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least three days. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it might take days.

Basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off for days, or even a week or longer. Or, you may have to evacuate at a moment’s notice and take essentials with you. You probably will not have the opportunity to shop or search for the supplies you need.

A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items that members of a household may need in the event of a disaster.

• Basic Disaster Supplies
• Kit locations
• Maintenance

Protect your Property

Learn how to protect your home or business

In this section:

• Protect your property from:

• Floods
• Earthquakes
• Hurricanes, Tornadoes, and High Winds
• Manmade Disasters (Terrorism / Bombs)

• Best Practices and Case Studies

• Protect Your Business
  

Floods

• Determine your flood risk
• Print, download or view flood maps
• Use HAZUS

Reduce your risk

• Protect your home from flooding
• Elevate your home

Insure your risk

• Buy Flood Insurance

Earthquakes

• Earthquake risk by State & Terrtory
• Use HAZUS

Reduce your risk

• Protect your home from earthquakes
• Earthquake publications

See what FEMA is doing to help

• National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program

Hurricanes, Tornadoes, and High Winds

• Determine your wind zone
• Use HAZUS

Reduce your risk

• Protect your home from High Winds
• Mitigating against Hurricane Loss
• Prepare a saferoom