Southern Cross Pet Insurance unveils disaster guide for pet owners

Southern Cross Pet Insurance unveils disaster guide for pet owners | Insurance Business New Zealand

Insurance News

Southern Cross Pet Insurance unveils disaster guide for pet owners

Tips released ahead of Civil Defence National ShakeOut Day

Insurance News

By
Roxanne Libatique

The guide aims to raise awareness about the importance of including pets in emergency planning and ensuring they are adequately prepared for disasters like earthquakes, floods, and fires.

How to protect pets during emergencies

SCPI’s advice focuses on key measures to protect pets during emergencies. These include:

preparing a pet-specific grab-and-go kit
ensuring pets are microchipped and registered with the New Zealand Companion Animal Register (NZCAR)
regularly reviewing pet insurance policies to understand coverage

The company stresses that pets should be evacuated alongside their owners during emergencies.

The guide advises owners to confirm that their evacuation destination is pet-friendly or, alternatively, to have contact information for kennels, catteries, or motels that accept pets during emergencies.

For those living in areas prone to flooding, SCPI warns that floodwaters can be just as dangerous for pets as for people, potentially carrying diseases or harmful materials. Pet owners in these areas are encouraged to consider purchasing a pet life jacket for added safety.

Pet survival checklist

SCPI also provides a checklist for a pet survival kit, which includes items such as:

a first aid kit
medications
at least five days’ worth of food and water

Other suggested items include litter trays, pet waste bags, food bowls, and current photos of the pet in case they get lost.

The guide suggests adding familiar objects like toys or blankets to help comfort pets during stressful situations.

introducing yourself to your neighbour
helping them prepare their home for emergencies
learning how to act as a sighted guide to assist them in getting to safety

Following any emergency, SCPI suggests checking on visually impaired neighbours to ensure they are safe, guiding them through any significant changes in their environment, and offering assistance with communication or navigating hazards.

Although there are anecdotal reports of animals displaying unusual behaviour before disasters, SCPI noted that there is limited scientific backing for these claims and encourages owners to focus on thorough preparation instead.