Newcastle Pet Owners Urged to Prepare For Emergencies

Whether it's severe flooding, Storm Arwen-style power cuts, a major cyber disruption or another unexpected emergency, most people remember to think about themselves. But what about their pets?

Animal welfare experts say preparing an emergency plan for your dog, cat or rabbit can make a significant difference if you ever need to leave home quickly or cope without electricity and other essential services for several days.

With the UK Government encouraging households to become more resilient through its Prepare campaign, pet owners across Newcastle and the wider North East are also being reminded that emergency planning should include every member of the family, including those with four legs.

Millions of UK households have pets.

Britain is a nation of pet lovers. According to the latest PDSA figures, around 30 percent of UK adults own a dog and 24 percent own a cat, equating to an estimated 11.1 million dogs and 10.5 million cats nationwide. Overall, around half of UK adults own at least one pet.

That means millions of households could face extra challenges if severe weather, flooding, prolonged power cuts or another emergency disrupted daily life.

For families across Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, Northumberland and County Durham, spending a little time preparing now could reduce stress if the unexpected happens.

Build a pet emergency kit.

Experts recommend keeping a dedicated emergency kit for every pet in your household.

A basic kit should include at least three days' worth of food, bottled drinking water, food and water bowls, treats, any prescription medication, spare leads, collars, harnesses, bedding, blankets and favourite toys to help reduce anxiety.

Cats should also have a portable litter tray, litter and waste bags, while small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs may need additional bedding and suitable food supplies.

Keeping everything together in one waterproof container makes it much easier to leave home quickly if required.

Keep identification up to date.

One of the simplest ways to protect your pet is by ensuring identification details are current.

Dogs in England must be microchipped by law, while owners should also ensure collars carry an up-to-date ID tag and that microchip contact details are accurate if they move house or change telephone numbers. Failure to comply with dog microchipping rules can result in a fine.

It is also worth keeping recent photographs of your pets on your phone in case they become separated during an emergency.

Don't forget medical needs.

If your pet takes regular medication, make sure you always have enough to last several days.

A pet first aid kit should include bandages, sterile dressings, antiseptic solution suitable for animals, tweezers, disposable gloves and your vet's contact details.

The PDSA says awareness of pet first aid remains relatively low, with only around three in ten owners believing they know how to deal with emergency situations involving their animals.

Plan ahead before an emergency happens.

Preparing a pet evacuation plan is just as important as assembling supplies.

Know where your pet carrier is stored, identify friends or relatives who could temporarily care for your animals and research pet-friendly accommodation if you ever need to leave home.

For households in parts of the North East that have experienced flooding or severe storms in recent years, having these plans already in place can save valuable time.

Why preparation matters in Newcastle and the North East.

The North East has experienced everything from widespread flooding to prolonged power outages caused by severe storms.

Although emergencies affecting homes are relatively uncommon, disruption to transport, communications or electricity can happen with little warning. Having supplies ready for both people and pets means families can focus on staying safe rather than searching for essentials at the last minute.

Newcastle City Council's figures also show hundreds of stray dogs are collected each year, highlighting the importance of proper identification and responsible ownership if pets become separated from their families.

A little preparation goes a long way.

Preparing your pets for emergencies does not require expensive equipment or weeks of planning. Most of the essentials can be gathered gradually during regular shopping trips.

Whether the disruption comes from severe weather, flooding or another unexpected event, having food, water, medication and identification ready could make an already stressful situation much easier for both you and your pets.

Join the discussion.

Do you already have an emergency kit for your pets, or has this inspired you to start one?