In the last few years, we have seen numerous natural disasters that have devastated areas of the US. From wildfires and earthquakes to hurricanes and tornadoes, natural disasters can happen anywhere. It pays to make plans regardless of where you are. Whether it’s a fire, flood, or power outage, dog daycares and kennels need to prepare for anything.
Emergency planning prepares you to keep your staff and the pets in your care safe during an emergency. In this article, we’ll explore the following key aspects of a thorough kennel or dog daycare emergency plan:
With a well-informed emergency plan in place, you’ll be equipped to react to a crisis quickly and appropriately.
In an emergency, the toughest challenge is moving all pets in your care to a safe place. Even if you have a warning and can contact pet parents to pick up their pets, you will likely have to evacuate pets from your facility. It is costly to evacuate a dog daycare and kennel, even if you are evacuating a small number of pets.
Cover your losses by including an evacuation clause if a pet isn’t picked up In your customer agreement. An evacuation charge should be several hundred dollars or more to cover travel, hotels, food, staff, etc.
Plan how you will transport animals in the case of an emergency. If you do not have access to a van, trailer, or RV, plan by asking your network if you can borrow transportation in case of an emergency.
When deciding where to go, strength is in numbers and the power of community. Contact pet care centers within a two-hour radius to work together in an emergency. Sharing resources and space can save money and create a safer environment for pets and staff.
There are several things you can do in advance to make your evacuation quick:
Pet care business software helps you plan and communicate with staff and customers. With Revelation Pets, you can store all of your customers’ information in one place. The email tool is the perfect place to create messages and templates and have them ready when you need them. Emergency planning could be the difference between life and death for your staff and the pets in your care. Preparation is the best way to ensure a quick and safe experience during any emergency.